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We may share a lot of similarities as humans, but we also share a lot of differences.

That’s what makes each of us unique individuals. The same goes for children and education. While we may want them all to meet the same educational standards, each child grows, develops, and learns differently.

In the past, people approached these differences by separating children into different learning environments based on certain criteria. However, inclusive educational opportunities create a much richer environment for children — both with and without disabilities — to learn in.Our team at Scottsdale Children’s Institute believes that an inclusive education is the best way to give all children a high-quality education. Here are a few benefits to this approach and how we create a supportive learning environment to set children up with long-term success.

Understanding inclusive education

In short, an inclusive education allows students from different backgrounds and abilities to learn together in the same setting. At Scottsdale Children’s Institute, our team welcomes and allows all students in our classrooms, regardless of any challenges they may have.

And, as applied behavior analysis (ABA) experts, we rely on science-based models to create learning environments with quality instruction, support, and individualized interventions on a case-by-case basis.

Basic elements of an inclusive education include:

• Teaching assistants or specialists who address the needs of all their students
• Relevant, inclusive, and adaptable curriculum for numerous learning styles
• Parental and caregiver involvement

We also rely on data-based tracking systems to monitor the progress of each student. This focused attention ensures your child reaches their customized goals and enables us to implement program modifications as needed.

Plus, even in an inclusive classroom, our low staff-to-student ratio ensures each student gets the support they need, whether they have challenges or not. This is what sets our program apart from other inclusive education settings.

The benefits of inclusivity

Inclusive education is all about collaboration. And, in our unique setting, that means a child gets the support of an entire community — including their family, fellow students, friends, and specialists.

Instead of separating a child who needs special attention, they benefit from everyone around them. This fosters an environment where every child feels they belong, and it teaches children to value others despite their differences. In fact, research shows that typical and nontypical students make greater gains academically in an inclusive classroom.

We embrace this approach for several reasons, including its ability to:

• Change discriminatory attitudes
• Nurture behaviors, such as respect, patience, and understanding
• Teach acceptance and tolerance
• Build positive relationships
• Improve communication
• Strengthen social skills

Educating children together also creates a more enriching learning experience, possibly because it involves numerous learning modalities instead of traditional “paper and pencil” techniques.

Are you ready to learn how an inclusive education can help your child thrive? To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Scottsdale Children’s Institute today.