What defines the social mainstreaming model in special education?

The social mainstreaming model in special education emphasizes the importance of students with disabilities engaging with their same-aged peers in various social contexts. This interaction is crucial for fostering social skills, building friendships, and promoting a sense of belonging within the school community. By providing opportunities for meaningful social interactions, this model helps students with disabilities develop essential social competencies and enhances their overall educational experience.

This approach is distinct from full integration into regular classrooms, which focuses primarily on academic involvement. While inclusion in regular classrooms aims to provide educational access, social mainstreaming specifically targets social opportunities alongside academic engagement. Additionally, the focus on special classes or educational interventions alone does not align with the goals of mainstreaming, as such options may limit social interactions and opportunities for peer engagement. Therefore, the core of the social mainstreaming model is the interaction and collaboration of students with disabilities with their peers, supporting both social growth and educational achievement.