Fostering Friendship and Acceptance in an Inclusive Summer Day Camp
Abstract
Historically, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) have faced barriers to social inclusion and forming friendships - essential life factors. Research has indicated the importance of reducing social barriers to inclusion and highlights the benefits of improving social skills and fostering positive attitudes about IDDs for facilitating friendship formation and inclusion. With the goal of fostering friendships, the S3 summer camp offered 22 youth (aged 9-14) with and without IDDs accessible and inclusive STEM education and a one-week social skills training package which included disability awareness lessons. Analysis examined the effects of this training package on participants’ friendship formation, and pre- and post- camp differences in social skills and attitudes about disabilities. Results indicated there were nonsignificant group differences in friendships, and nonsignificant differences in pre versus post attitudes and social skills. This camp program package can be delivered in community settings - offering more opportunities for inclusive programming.