Strategies for enhancing peer acceptance and positive interactions among students with special needs
A literature review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19482283 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Julien Gabriel (corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 27-37 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2006-988X • E-ISSN: 2006-988X |
| Publisher | Academic Journals (PUBLISHER • NG) |
| DOI | 10.5897/ijsa2026.1036 |
| OpenAlex | W7161011046 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 85 |
This study examines strategies that promote peer acceptance and foster positive social interactions among students with additional needs in inclusive environments. It focuses on peer-mediated interventions, cooperative learning frameworks, and social skills instruction as key approaches for enhancing student relationships. Evidence indicates that when peers engage in supportive behaviors, students with disabilities demonstrate improved communication, stronger social connections, and an increased sense of belonging. Inclusive classroom practices that emphasize empathy, respect, and structured interaction reduce stigma and support social integration. The review analyzes structured collaborative learning, direct social skills instruction, and whole-class approaches, alongside techniques such as modeling, role-playing, and positive reinforcement to build social confidence. Findings highlight that cooperative projects, shared problem-solving, and structured group activities strengthen empathy, communication, and community. The study concludes that integrated approaches produce more meaningful social connections and improved outcomes for all learners. Key words: Social and emotional learning, collaborative learning, social skills, positive reinforcement, empathy, communication, conflict resolution
Inclusion (mineral) · Key (lock) · Peer group · Peer learning · Social acceptance · Social skills · Social stigma · Stigma (botany) · Collaborative Teaching and Inclusion · Disability Education and Employment · Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport
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Longitudinal and Contextual Associations Between Teacher–Student Relationships and Student Engagement
Toward a Psychology of Human Agency
Early Childhood Teachers as Socializers of Young Children’s Emotional Competence
Motivation and social cognitive theory
Socio-economic status and academic performance in higher education
Promoting inclusion and equity in education
Scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews (SPAR‐4‐SLR)
The art of writing literature review
Literature review as a research methodology
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Entrepreneurial Skills to Be Successful in the Global and Digital World
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The relationship between basic psychological need satisfaction and intrinsic motivation
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Inclusive classroom norms and children's expectations of inclusion of peers with learning difficulties in their social world
The effects of cooperative learning on peer relations, academic support, and engagement in learning among students of color
Psychological Well-Being and Academic Achievement among School-Aged Children
Promoting Peer Interaction and Acceptance Among Students with Special Needs Through an Experiential Learning Program
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Creating Inclusive Early Childhood Education Environments
Effect of syllabus tone
A Holistic Approach to the Design of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education for K-12 Schools
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Teacher self-efficacy and inclusive education practices
Fostering student engagement with motivating teaching
Increasing engagement in students with autism in inclusion classrooms
Exploring inclusive pedagogy
Teachers' proactive behaviour
Effects of a peer-mediated intervention on the language and socialization experiences and skills of preschool children
Peer relations and motivation in special secondary education
The peer relations of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream primary schools
Albert Bandura's legacy in education
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |