Proceedings of the 8th World Conference on Research in Education
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Current Situation Analysis of Inclusive and Integrative Education Practices Applied to Individuals with Neurodiversity in Early Childhood in the World and Turkey and Conclusions and Recommendations
Tuna Sahsuvaroglu
ABSTRACT:
Neurodiversity is a perspective arguing that people’s brains and minds are in endless variations and each individual has a different neurocognitive functionality. Neurological conditions which have traditionally been defined as illness, disability or disorder are also perceived as an individual difference in principle, not as a disease. Carrying out inclusive and integrative education practices in a qualified manner in general education environments in which individuals with special needs receive education depends on the differentiation of education and the ability to make instructional adaptations. The fact that the classroom teachers working in inclusive education environments have the necessary knowledge and practice about differentiated education and instructional adaptations that will ensure the effective participation of all students in the teaching process will both form the basis for the quality of education practices and be a part of formal education institutions that take part in inclusion/integration practices. It will also contribute to the development of an innovative, sustainable, accessible and inclusive education system by supporting the professional development of all staff, teachers and administrators working as teachers and indirectly other stakeholders (in counseling and research centers and science and art centers). The embedding of this contribution in children’s cognition and behavior at the earliest possible period depends on the quality of the education offered to them in early childhood. Based on this information, the aim of this study is to reveal what inclusive and integrative education practices are applied / offered to individuals with neurodiversity in early childhood in the world and in Turkey based on current national and international literature and to provide recommendations for educators who will work with neurodiversity.
keywords: İnclusive education, special education, comperative education, preschool education, integration