In the present study, the aim was to explore the views of preschool teachers in relation to the challenges faced by children with intellectual disabilities in their school integration. To achieve this, four research questions were prepared and a quantitative survey was conducted through a questionnaire. Initially, the theoretical framework of Mental Disability and Integration was presented, on which the whole subsequent study was based. Subsequently, research related to the subject was reviewed and data were identified for further investigation. The whole research process followed the design of the educational quantitative research, where the issues of ethics, as well as those of validity and reliability, were ensured. This was followed by an analysis of the collected data, with the Spss program as well as their detailed presentation. The research questions were then discussed in relation to whether they were answered by the research process and in relation to the theoretical background. Finally, the research difficulties and the proposals for further research are presented.
Cite this paper
Kalpidi, T. (2021). The Challenges Faced by Preschool Children with Mental Disabilities in Their School Integration. Views of Preschool Teachers. Open Access Library Journal, 8, e7675. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107675.
Antoniou, A.S., Geralexis, I. and Charitaki, G. (2017) Special Educators’ Teaching Self-Efficacy Determination: A Quantitative Approach. Psychology, 8, 1642-1656.
https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2017.811108
Dimitriadou, I. (2015) The Independent Living of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Combined Study of the Views of Parents, Teaching Staff and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities in Greece. Doctoral Thesis, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki.
https://dspace.lib.uom.gr/bitstream/2159/17483/1/DimitriadouIoanna_PhD2015.pdf
Polychronopoulou, S. (2003) Children and Adolescents with Special Needs and Abilities: Modern Trends in Education and Special Support. Volume A, Atrapos, Athens.
Schalock, R.L., Borthwick-Duffy, S.A., Bradley, V.J., Buntinx, W.H., Coulter, D.L., Craig, E.M. and Shogren, K.A. (2010) Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Silver Spring.
American Association in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2021) Definition of Intellectual Disability.
https://www.aaidd.org/intellectual-disability/definition
Schalock, R.L., Shogren, K.A., Borthwick-Duffy, S.A., Bradley, V.J., Buntinx, W.H., Coulter, D.L., Craig, E.M., Gomez, S.H., Lacapelle, Y., Reeve, A., Snell, M., Spleat, A., Tasse, M., Thompson, M., Verdugo, Wehmeyer, Y. and Yeager, M. (2007) The Remaining of Mental Retardation. Understanding the Change to Intellectual Disability. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 45, 116-124.
Charitaki, G., Soulis, S.G. and Tyropoli, R. (2019) Academic Self-Regulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Principal Components Analysis. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 68, 26-45.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2019.1640353
Bania, F., Antoniou, A.S., Theodoritsi, M., Theodoritsi, I., Charitaki, G. and Billis, E. (2019) Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale (IDPS): Translation and Cross-Cultural Validation in Greek. Disability and Rehabilitation, 43, 988-995.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1643420
Bania, F., Gianniki, M., Giannakoudi, S., Charitaki, G., Matzaroglou, C. and Billis, E. (2020) The Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale (IDPS): Evidencing Construct Validity with Factor Analysis and Measurement Invariance in Greek-Speaking Healthcare Students. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1850890
Tzivinikou, S., Charitaki, G. and Kagkara, D. (2020) Distance Education Attitudes (DEAS) during Covid-19 Crisis: Factor Structure, Reliability and Construct Validity of the Brief DEA Scale in Greek-Speaking SEND Teachers. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-020-09483-1
Boyle, C.A., Decoufle, P. and Yeargin-Allsopp, M. (1994) Prevalence and Health Impact of Developmental Disabilities in US Children. Pediatrics, 93, 399-403.
Soulis, S.G. (2002) Pedagogy of Integration: From the “School of Separation”, to a “School for All”. Special Pedagogy 2. Volume 1, “Typothito” Publications, Athens.
Hellas (2012) Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Law 4074/2012. National Printing Office, Athens.
Klinger, J.K. and Vaughn, S. (2002) The Changing Roles and Responsibilities of an LD Specialist. Learning Disability Quarterly, 25, 19-31.
https://doi.org/10.2307/1511188
Vlachou-Balafouti, A. (2012) Practical Implementation of Integration Programs for Children with Mental Retardation. In: Zoniou-Sideris, A., Ed., Act B: Contemporary Accession Approaches, Ellinika Grammata, Athens, 121-150.
Tsiomi, E. and Nanou, A. (2020) Cooperative Strategies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Inclusive Robotics Activities. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Society, Integration, Education, Vol. 4, 148-156.
https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2020vol4.5147
Iseris, G. (2016) Statistical Methods of Checking the Validity and Reliability of Questionnaires. The Case of Greece. International Journal of Language, Translation and Intercultural Communication, 5, 175-189. https://doi.org/10.12681/ijltic.10665
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309225596_Statistikes_methodoi_elenchou_enkyrotetas_kai_axiopistias_erotematologion_E_periptose_tou_CiGreece
Charitakis, F. (2012) Reconstruction of Teaching Using ICT, Based on the Conceptual Framework of Technological and Pedagogical Knowledge of Content (ICT). Investigation of the Possibility in Teachers of Alexandroupolis. Diploma Thesis, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi.
https://repo.lib.duth.gr/jspui/bitstream/123456789/1356/1/EA90.PDF
Kouli, St. (2019) Capturing the Level of Didactic Self-Efficacy and Highlighting the Training Needs of Teachers Specializing in Mathematics. Diploma Thesis, School of Sciences and Technology, Postgraduate Studies in Mathematics, Hellenic Open University, Patra.
https://apothesis.eap.gr/bitstream/repo/44557/1/112800_%ce%9a%ce%9f%ce%a5%ce%9b%ce%97_%ce%a3%ce%a4%ce%91%ce%a5%ce%a1%ce%9f%ce%a5%ce%9b%ce%91.pdf
Vogiatzi, X.A., Charitaki, G. and Kourkoutas, E. (2021) Assessing Psychometric Properties of the Sentiments, Attitudes and Concerns about Inclusive Education Scale in a Greek-Speaking Sample of In-service Teachers. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-021-09554-x