Education for children with disabilities: the rationale for inclusion.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss issues in the education of children with disabilities, particularly with respect to inclusion in mainstream classes.


METHODS
Review of the literature on education for children with disabilities, focusing on the inclusion versus segregation debate.


RESULTS
The literature provides no support for segregation and some support for the view that segregated children are disadvantaged. What seems to be important is the way the child is educated rather than where the education takes place. In addition, there are ethical, sociological, and legal arguments in favour of an inclusive educational system.


CONCLUSIONS
There are good arguments to encourage inclusive education for children with disabilities. In advising parents, doctors should focus on how rather than where the child with a disability should be educated.
Graves
P
P
Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Tracy
J
J
D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000193:education*; D004519:Education, Special; D006801:Humans; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D010348:Patient Care Team