Experiences of Youth Studying Together with Classmates with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Authors

  • Vaida Asakavičiūtė Department of Entertainment Industries, Faculty of Creative Industries, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Trakų str. 1, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
  • Vilija Grincevičienė Department of Entertainment Industries, Faculty of Creative Industries, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Trakų g. 1, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
  • Vilija Targamadzė Department of Educology, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University, Universiteto g. 9/1, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
  • Živilė Sederevičiūtė-Pačiauskienė Department of Creativity Communication, Faculty of Creative Industries, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.1.213.230

Keywords:

inclusive education, special educational needs, disability, school, pupils

Abstract

Aim. Most children and young people do not have a social experience of dealing with peers with disabilities and disadvantages which causes various problems for both sides. The relevant reactions of the class group to the behaviour of a classmate with learning disabilities can have the same positive effect on the individual as the professional help of the class teacher or psychologist. The study research question was to understand how classmates perceive their experiences communicating and cooperating with peers with special educational needs or disabilities.

Methods. The phenomenographic research approach was chosen to carry out the study. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were carried out to collect the data. The informant‘s selection criteria were students who had studied for at least one year in a standard classroom with peers with special educational needs or disabilities and had been in contact with and cooperated with them in general education secondary school.

Results. The positive experience is related to the development of will and character traits, lessons of tolerance, development of empathy, building social support skills, and lessons in sociability. The negative experience is related to dealing with outbreaks of aggression and egression, communication problems and mistakes, and disturbances during lessons.

Conclusion. The participants' positive experiences show that the social environment and education accelerate the formation of the personality and direct it towards sociability. Participants' negative experiences signalled the abundance of problems existing in the reality of education and their multifacetedness.

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Author Biographies

  • Vaida Asakavičiūtė, Department of Entertainment Industries, Faculty of Creative Industries, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Trakų str. 1, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

    A Professor with a PhD in Philosophy at the Department of Entertainment Industries within the Faculty of Creative Industries at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania. She has authored over 50 research papers and presented more than 20 scientific reports at national and international conferences. Her research interests include cultural studies, communication and creativity, education, ethics, non-classical philosophy, and the philosophy of communication.

  • Vilija Grincevičienė, Department of Entertainment Industries, Faculty of Creative Industries, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Trakų g. 1, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

    Prof. Dr. of social sciences (Educational sciences), expert in NGO International Social Academy and Vytautas Magnus University, university lecturer in Vilnius Tech. Areas of research: development of education system, peculiarities of teacher training, sociology of education.      

  • Vilija Targamadzė, Department of Educology, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University, Universiteto g. 9/1, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania

    Prof. Dr. Habil. of social sciences ( Educational sciences), expert, long-time member of doctoral committees, member of editorial colleges of scientific journals, member of scientific committees for conferences, member of the Education and Science Committee of Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.

    Areas of research: education quality management, didactics, social exclusion.

  • Živilė Sederevičiūtė-Pačiauskienė, Department of Creativity Communication, Faculty of Creative Industries, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

    Ph.D. and a professor of the Department of Creativity Communication at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Her fields of scientific interest are education, instructional communication, communication in education systems, educational innovations, and distance education. Professor Živilė Sederevičiūtė-Pačiauskienė has published over 40 articles and five student handbooks and guidelines and has developed and led international and national large-scale projects.

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Published

2024-06-13

How to Cite

Asakavičiūtė, V., Grincevičienė, V., Targamadzė, V., & Sederevičiūtė-Pačiauskienė, Živilė . (2024). Experiences of Youth Studying Together with Classmates with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(1), 213-230. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.1.213.230