Integration-Vs-Inclusion - Is There A Difference

Inclusion / Integration
Is There a Difference?
By Bryan Harman
As our children with labels enter the education How can you tell the difference?
system, we often hear the words “integrated” or
The biggest clue for determining whether a school is
“included” to describe the classroom setting they
integrating or including students is in the language
will experience. In some cases the terms are
that is being used. If school personnel talk about
used interchangeably, referring to children being
extra adaptations or services to help the child fit
“integrated into a regular classroom” and “included
into a classroom, it is integration. References to
into a regular classroom.” There are, however,
overcoming problems, acquiring functional abilities
significant differences between the two. Knowing
and support worker for the child will be used.
these differences can help us advocate for an
Look at the Individual Education Plan (IEP). If the
inclusive environment that will help all children
IEP focuses on strategies to help a child fit into a
learn.
classroom, this is integration.
Inclusive schools and classrooms talk about helping
everyone. School personnel will emphasize how the
classroom/school will be changed to support the
success of a child. The talk will be about how the
extra adaptations and services will benefit everyone.
Celebrating diversity, helping everyone and having
a support worker for the class are key. When looking
at the IEP, strategies will be used to adapt and
improve the classroom so that all students achieve
success. Inclusion is about helping everyone.
How to assist your child’s school to be

inclusive?
Inclusion is about building relationships. In order
Integration models assume there is something to assist a school to become inclusive, relationships
wrong that must be fixed in order to fit into the must be built. Your role is to facilitate this process
present system. The supports and adaptations that by building relationships with the principal and
occur are put in place to force a child into an existing teachers well before your child enters the system. If
classroom setting. The child must adjust to these possible, start by offering to volunteer at the school,
adaptations or fail. The child is “going” to school. and make sure you bring your child whenever you
Successful models of inclusion believe that ALL go. This allows the school to get to know your child,
children are different, and ALL children can learn. which will lessen any fears that the school may be
There is nothing about a child that needs to be having.
“fixed” in order for that child to fit into a system. The As your child grows closer to enrolling in the school,
school system, as a whole, is enabled to change in start talking about when would be a good time to
order to meet the individual needs of ALL learners. begin transitioning into Kindergarten. You might like
Children are “participating” in school.
to share articles you have read about how inclusion Know your local legislation, regulations and school
benefits the whole school and community, or division policies regarding inclusion. You may be
offer to talk to the school staff about inclusion. required to advocate on behalf of your child if
Be prepared to talk about these benefits at any things aren’t working out. Find out who to talk to if
time, including outside of school. Learn how the policies are not being followed. If you find yourself
funding mechanisms in your province and school in a situation where you need to meet with the
system work. This will help you talk to teachers and school, the division, or others, you should always
administrators about how extra supports will not bring an advocate with you. This person will act
only benefit your child, but other children as well as a second set of ears and help you recollect the
. Always be clear that your intention is that your conversations at a later time. This is very important
child will attend the school. Use phrases like “when as an advocate will see and remember things that
(name) attends”, not “may he/she attend” to show you will miss.
the school your intentions. You are not asking
Finally, be prepared to advocate at every school
permission, but rather want to begin to build a your child attends. Inclusion may be a very long
team to support your child’s inclusive education. process. If your child is the first to be included in
When your child starts school, be a resource your school or community you may find yourself
person. You know your child better than anyone repeating your efforts as your child transitions from
else, so make sure the school is comfortable calling one level of school to the next. If possible, make
for help. Offer to talk to the staff or the students. efforts to connect with families whose children will
Give teachers permission and encouragement to follow yours through the system so they are aware
try innovative strategies to include your child and of your efforts and progress, and can build on
enhance the school experience of ALL students. them as their children enter the system. Remember
Always assert that your child is a learner – with that schools need to learn as well as teach. Once
great potential. schools realize that inclusion will increase the
If you experience resistance to your child being academic performance and well-being of ALL
supported in an inclusive education setting, know students, they will be more than willing to work
the rights you and your child have to an inclusive towards making inclusion a reality.
education, and be prepared to stand up for them.
Integration vs Inclusion
needs of “special students” •••••••• rights of ALL students
changing/remedying the subject •••••••• changing the school
benefits to the student with “special needs” •••••••• benefits ALL students
professionals, specialist expertise, and •••••••• informal support and the expertise of
formal support mainstream teachers
Conclusion: inclusion = good teaching for ALL

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Inclusion / Integration

How to assist your child’s school to be

Conclusion: inclusion = good teaching for ALL

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