Friendship experiences among children with disabilities who attend mainstream Australian schools.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the experiences of friendship for children with disabilities who attend mainstream Australian schools.


BACKGROUND
Being a friend is an important occupational role for all children. However, the literature suggests that physical inclusion of children with disabilities in mainstream schools does not necessarily develop social inclusion.


METHODS
Phenomenology was used to explore friendship experiences of 10 primary school children with disabilities.


RESULTS
Five themes emerged from the data: (1) self-identity; (2) meaning of friendship; (3) classroom experiences; (4) playing together; (5) longing for friendship. These themes reflected the importance of friendship in the children's lives, the influence of the children's beliefs and values, and the impact of the attitudes and actions of educational staff and other students.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational therapists need to work collaboratively with educational staff, students, and their peers to create inclusive school settings that facilitate positive friendship experiences for children with disabilities.
Morrison
Rachel
R
Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Newcastle West, NSW, Australia.
Burgman
Imelda
I
D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D008297:Male