Making After-School Activities Inclusive

Washington Times' Jean Winegardner's perspective seems to be on the mark. Even if children with special needs are included in some activities, their families still struggle to "fit in" the school community.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — It can be difficult, as a special education family, to feel like a part of the school community.
Sometimes, if your child is in a self-contained environment, you don't get much of a chance to mix with many of the parents at the school. Even if your child is in a mainstream classroom, as mine is, there are still many factors at play that can keep you isolated.
Much socializing takes place at after-school activities—math night, science fairs, school concerts. These are the extra-curricular events that make a school community, that take school from being a place where kids go to learn to a place where families socialize. Even if you and your kids are accepted, these can still be extremely difficult to take part in as a special education family.