The Connecticut Developmental Disabilities Network (DDN) was established to provide leadership for implementation of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance
and Bill of Rights Act.
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People with disabilities and their families are
at the heart of how we plan, complete,
and evaluate our activities.
We also rely on a broad range of professionals, organizations and agencies
to bring about community-wide change.
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The Development of Friendships in Youth with Disabilities
Overview
The purpose of this project is to better understand friendships for children with disabilities. This project investigated the number of friends a child has and developed an understanding of how family-orchestrated activities alter/affect the social outcomes associated with students with disabilities who attend inclusive versus segregated classrooms. Center staff conducted a study to learn about the social connectedness and friendships of students in grades K-6, and compared the experiences of youngsters whose school placements are largely inclusive to others in the same school district whose placements are largely segregated. Parents of students with disabilities in grades K-6 in the state of Connecticut were eligible to participate. Elementary and middle schools, as well as other agencies such as the Down Syndrome Network, were contacted in order to email their respective listserves or distribute information to parents who were willing to participate. The survey was available primarily online with a paper alternative.
The aim of this study was to determine not only whether students in inclusive settings experienced a different degree or quality of social connectedness than those in segregated settings, but also to learn about the frequencies of various pathways leading to social connections or friendship for youngsters with disabilities.
Major Activities
- To develop and conduct a study to learn about the social connectedness and friendships of students in grades K-6 with disabilities. This study has concluded.
- To analyze data and disseminate findings.
Publications
Click Here to view publications for this project
Contact
Cristina Mogro-Wilson
Phone: (860) 679.1529
E-mail: cmwilson@uchc.edu
Early Childhood initiatives at the UCEDD focus on evidenced based practices and learning outcomes. We provide training and technical assistance to early interventionists, teachers, therapists, service coordinators, policy makers and families on a variety of areas including social competence, early literacy, early childhood outcomes, service coordination practices, and evidenced based intervention practices.
School Age initiatives at the UCEDD focus on the inclusion of children with disabilities in typical school and community life. We provide training and technical assistance to families, school personnel and community members in a variety of areas including the special education process, inclusive education, adapted curriculum, assistive technology, disability awareness and person-centered planning.
Adult initiatives at the UCEDD focus on including people with disabilities in their communities. We provide training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, state agencies, service providers and other community members in a variety of areas including the hiring of personal assistants, accessible transportation, emergency preparedness and response, and health care.