Getting along with classmates in regular schools: a review of the effects of integration on the development of social relationships

The objective of this review is to find out what knowledge is available regarding the effects of integrating pupils the sensory, motor and/or mental disabilities is regular schools. This review is restricted to the effects of integration on the development of social contacts with classmates without disabilities. Analysis of 14 studies revealed contradictory conclusions: no effects were reported in some studies, while in others researchers found that special needs pupils in regular schools acquired more social contacts and friendships, and that regular and special schools differed in this respect. Only a few studies revealed negative effects of integration.