Inclusion vs. Segregation

Inclusion Model with Identified Supports vs. Segregated Special Education Classes

Inclusion vs. segregation can be a difficult decision.  Inclusion means your child will be educated with his “normal” peers.  In this setting, your child is given the support that is needed in order for him to participate in the learning process.  This type of education can be done in many different ways, such as receiving educational instruction with an aide.  Segregation means your child will only associate with children with special needs.  This sets up a controversy between two “schools of thought”. 

The Individuals that support inclusion say that best way to educate a child is to have him with his peers and provide him with whatever he needs in order to learn, which is a wonderful philosophy. The advantage is, that it is “real life” and training for adulthood.  It is helpful for your child to interact with “typical” children, in that children learn from their peers.  Your child will be challenged by his peers and will try to copy them, as all children do, which can lead to better learning and socialization.  However, there are times when the school says that it will provide additional help for your child and then it does not work that way.  Or, your child does not feel successful when placed against his peers.  So, it is important that you are aware of what is taking place in an inclusion setting and that your child is learning, and not being passed along.

The another group of people believe that segregation is the best way to educate your child.  Segregated programs are designed and staffed by professionals that are trained to work with children with special needs, which typically means they are better trained to teach your child.  Therapies are usually an integrated part of the system.  However, there are downsides to segregation.  Children that are segregated do not always have the challenge of learning with their peers, which can sometimes facilitate better learning and skills.  Also, children that are segregated are not learning how to function in the community in hopes of becoming integrated into society.  There are many educational environments that do not offer “pure” segregated special education classes. 

It is important that you think about your individual child.  You should listen to other people’s advice, especially the professionals within the school system that are working with your child, but then you need to really look at your child and decide what is best for your child.  If your child is in an inclusion classroom,  you will have to think about what assistance your child needs in order to learn.  There are programs that combine inclusion and segregation, where the child might spend part of the day in a segregated program and the other part of the day in an inclusion program or he might spend the day in an inclusion program and receive remedial assistance and therapy.  There are many different combinations.  Trust your “gut” and do what you think is best for your child, you might be surprised at how well he does in an inclusion program with his peers.  Or you might decide this is not the right program for your child and enroll him in a segregated program.