Inclusion: Benefits and Challenges

Potential Benefits

• Access to grade-level curriculum

• Opportunities to build relationships with peers

• Greater exposure to social norms and communication

• Higher expectations = higher achievement

• Builds empathy and understanding for all students

Potential Challenges

• Risk of isolation if peers or teachers are unprepared

• Sensory overload or distraction in busy classrooms

• Teachers may lack specialized training

• Support services may be inconsistent

Inclusion is most effective when students receive the right support and planning.

 

Supports & Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)

Supports and SDI help students access the curriculum and thrive in inclusive environments.

Examples of Supports:

• Visual schedules or checklists

• Preferential seating

• Use of fidgets or sensory tools

• Peer buddies or social skills groups

• Modified assignments/tests

Examples of SDI:

• Direct instruction in social-emotional skills

• Explicit teaching of executive functioning skills

• Repetition or re-teaching using multi-sensory strategies

• Small group or one-on-one instruction within the general setting

 

Common Barriers to Successful Inclusion

• Lack of teacher training or resources

• Negative attitudes or low expectations

• Poor communication between school and family

• Inflexible school structures

• Insufficient planning time for co-teachers and support staff

 

What Inclusive Schools Do Well

Inclusive schools go beyond access — they create environments where students feel valued, supported, and successful.

Characteristics of Successful Inclusive Schools:

• School-wide focus on belonging and acceptance

• Strong leadership committed to inclusion

• Collaborative IEP teams

• Ongoing training for staff and students

• Use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

• Flexible instructional models (co-teaching, push-in support)

• Celebration of diversity, including neurodiversity

 

Fostering an Inclusive, Welcoming Environment

Here’s what schools and families can do together:

Schools Can:

• Educate staff and students about inclusion and disability

• Proactively plan transitions and support needs

• Use student-centered teaching practices

• Provide consistent behavior and academic support

Caregivers Can:

• Share their child’s strengths and needs with the school

• Help teachers understand what works at home

• Attend IEP meetings as active collaborators

• Advocate for inclusion with a solutions-focused mindset

• If needed, get outside therapists to work on skills needed to succeed in an inclusive environment

 

Final Thought: Every Child Deserves to Belong

Inclusion isn’t about “fitting in” — it’s about designing environments where all children thrive. With thoughtful planning, strong supports, and open communication, schools can provide meaningful inclusion for students across the spectrum — from high-functioning learners to those with significant intellectual disabilities.