The Peculiarities of Relationships of Disabled Preschoolers with Their Peers under Inclusive Education Conditions

Introduction. In modern society, there is a tendency to significant deterioration in the health of younger generations and increasing number of children and adolescents with disabilities, most of whom face great difficulties in communicating with peers and people around them. This problem is particularly relevant in connection with the introduction of inclusive education, which is still a new phenomenon under investigation in Russia (as in many other countries).

The aim of the present research was to identify and analyse the peculiarities of interpersonal relationships of pre-school children under inclusive education conditions.

Methodology and research methods. In the course of the research, the methods of observation, sociometry, projective tests, problem cases and statistical analysis were applied. For psychological diagnostics, the following tests were used: “Captain of the Ship” by A. A. Romanov, “Me and My Friend in a Kindergarten” by N. V. Miklayeva and U. V. Miklayeva, “Diagnostic of Relationships with Peers” by I. A. Orlova and V. M. Kholmogorova, “The Maze” by L. A. Venger, “Pictures” by E. O. Smirnova and E. A. Kalyagina. The results were processed using the Mann - Whitney U-Test.

Results and scientific novelty. The peculiarities of interaction between nondisabled children and children with disabilities were investigated on the example of relationships between children in the private inclusive pre-school institution. The psychological problems in pre-school children with disabilities in inclusive kindergarten groups have been established. These psychological problems are reflected in children’s low status positions with underdeveloped communication skills and immature ways of solving conflict situations. These children are most often rejected by the peer group, although in some cases peers can play games and communicate with them. The data obtained in the course of diagnostic activities demonstrate that children with developmental disorders lack interest in communication with their healthy peers; also, they do not desire to interact with peers and response to peers’ initiatives. The authors have not confirmed the hypothesis that children of older pre-school age with disabilities have more favorable interpersonal relations with peers than in younger pre-school age.

The theoretical significance of the current research is to enrich special psychology and pedagogical science in the field of inclusion with additional knowledge about the role of peers in the mental development of children with special educational needs.

Practical significance. The proposed recommendations will assist the specialists of pre-school educational institutions to harmonise interpersonal relationships of children with disabilities through building their communication skills and increasing their sociometric status. The authors believe that these research materials can be useful for educators and psychologists employed in the filed of inclusive education.

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