Inclusion is a philosophy. Segregated services have not resulted in adequate education for handicapped students. All- inclusive schools set an example for students' other areas of life. For example, a parents of a 12 year old boy with down syndrome living in a small community have found the community recreation programs to be inclusive for all children in the family. The parents see the benefits for their son as being enhanced self-esteem, the building of a habit of physical activity, and a feeling of membership with his siblings and peers.
Children look to do what everyone else is doing.
In an inclusive setting it is crucial to invite parents, teachers, community members and students to join together to be part of a new culture. The current paradigm shift to less restrictive models for educating students with disabilities requires collaborative planning, routine modification of instructional materials, and the inclusion of parents and peers as important components of the educational process. The structure of most middle school programs facilitates professional collaboration and peer support, important ingredients for successful inclusion. Interdisciplinary team organization is a distinguishing characteristic and foundation of the effective middle level school. Interdisciplinary teaming allows the same group of teachers to work with the same group of students.