Psychology of Special Needs and Inclusion

Special educational needs refer to the conditions in which a student has to be provided with the necessary measures to overcome any learning obstacle. In this chapter, special educational needs are explored in different sections that share the same idea on the extreme relevance of cultural aspects in influencing inclusion. After introducing the regulatory framework, a review of inclusion measures and advancement in different countries is presented. The second part of this chapter addresses the psychological aspects related to the inclusion of students with special educational needs. Key factors for positive outcomes in inclusive education include peer and adult attitudes toward individuals with special educational needs, as well as participation in in-class activities, school well-being, and family satisfaction toward school inclusion. The third part is aimed at describing methods and strategies that have proven to be effective in promoting inclusion. In particular, measures to foster inclusive attitudes and create an inclusive environment are illustrated. In conclusion, inclusive teaching strategies are reviewed.