Inclusion Teaming: Program

Students Prepare for
the Communication Diversity
of the Future

Working Together to Improve School and Work Environments

Self-Advocacy is An Experience

Together They ~

Practice Communicating

Increase Understanding

Counteract Bullying

WHAT IS INCLUSION TEAMING?

Inclusion Teaming™ is an EDUCATION program that teaches students how to understand and work with communication differences that exist among them.

With the rise in spectrum disorders and the number of bright minds that work differently, it is becoming clear that people express their ideas in many ways. For example, some brilliant students are not able to perceive the social agendas of their schools or of individuals within their schools; therefore, their interactions may lack social finesse. Some students need time to organize their emerging ideas; other students need concrete language to communicate solutions to problems; and still others can’t imagine what someone might be feeling when they are talking. These types of differences represent Communication Diversity.

Communication Diversity often leads to isolation, resulting in bright ideas being lost every day. It is not uncommon for students, who learn in the same classrooms and who have different communication styles, never to exchange a single word. Similarly, at work, we’re uncomfortable seeking input from people who don’t relate in familiar ways.

When it is time for team problem solving, getting the ideas of every bright mind will increase the chance of success. Knowing how to tap the ideas of those who generally don’t join discussion becomes an advanced team skill. Knowing how to get others to take the time to actively listen also becomes an advanced team skill.

Communication differences affect productivity in the classroom and workplace every day. Advanced team skills are essential for facilitating the ideas of all kinds of bright minds.

Student Groups

Participants are students in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Students may be from regular education and special education. Students learn that differences in seeing and using information are natural and that some of these differences affect communication. Students benefit by learning how to identify the talents of those they don’t understand and by practicing self-advocacy that helps them contribute their ideas in team process. At the end of the semester, fifteen weekly sessions, each group presents what they have learned to the community. All participants receive recognitions of achievement and community service credit if applicable. Students can then introduce themselves to colleges and employers as experienced in the field of communication diversity. Advantages

A transitional opportunity is a component of the program. Special education students work on teams with regular education students, and thus, experience a rich transition where they self-advocate and practice future skills.

Students who are knowledgeable about Communication Diversity are more informed and better prepared for future employment.

To facilitate the growth of skills, Inclusion Teaming™ places students with communication difficulties according to cognitive, social, and learning profiles with guidance from a multidisciplinary team of experts. Inclusion Teaming™ integrates information from the latest scientific research on autism and learning disabilities. Art, storytelling, and drama enhance the curriculum.

Career Exploration is an integral part of Inclusion Teaming™. Guest speakers from various career fields discuss how they work on teams. All participants have a year of free access to Career Exploring posts throughout Connecticut.

We need to understand how different minds work and discover new ways to react when confronted with communication differences.

Job Opportunities

Students who have participated in three semesters of Communication Diversity training and who have graduated from high school or college can apply for jobs as they become available.

Why We Need Inclusion Teaming

For Bullying Reduction

We know that students with communication differences in any form—academic or social—are bullied. We never hear the good news—65% of students in schools are not involved in bullying! Inclusion Teaming™ brings these two groups of students together—those with communication differences and those who do not bully. Inclusion Teaming™ provides the educational and practical experience students need to help counteract the effects of bullying on their learning experience. To learn more about how Inclusion Teaming™ counteracts bullying, click here

For a Holistic and Rewarding Transition Opportunity

Inclusion Teaming™ provides a transition experience essential for meeting post high school goals. Inclusion Teaming™ prepares students for the future by providing the opportunity for skill development while working on teams and on worksite models in diverse career fields.

Inclusion Teaming™ covers the following areas, outlined in the Individual with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA):

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Community/Recreational Participation
• Independence
• Post-Secondary Education Preparation
• Self-Advocacy
• Workplace Preparation

In addition, an academic transition goal might be met through the group presentation project. Most importantly, Inclusion Teaming™ gives the students a holistic transition experience, offering students the opportunity to achieve a sense of:

• Competency
• Self Worth
• Mastery
• and... Belonging

Inclusion Teaming, 1465 Post Road East, Westport, Connecticut 06488 · (203) 254-0100