Friendship Relationships in Special Education

Shimrit Ochana

Shimrit Ochana The Institute of International Relations of Moldova

Keywords: social skills, social relationships, Social development, social game, Support and Evaluation, Conflicts Resolving, Conflicts and Treason, Assistance and Guidance, Common Recreation during the Leisure Time, Intimacy, Special Education

Abstract

These social skills are the same skills and abilities that enable appropriate social behavior. Appropriate social behavior is expressed in someone's ability to fulfill society's expectations, to build social relationships with peers, to adapt to the demands of reality, and make to decisions in emotional, personal, social and moral contexts (Dekel, 2008). Social interaction among a group of equal children is important and necessary for the child's normal development. The relationships with his/her peers provide the child opportunities to practice defined roles, discoverability and to improve his/her social status. They also provide him/her with information about the type of behavior which is appropriate to different social situations and develop social cognition (Feigen & Meisgeir, 1987). Pupils with special needs did not acquire during their development process the knowledge and skills that are required at their age to develop sufficient social relationships. Children with learning disabilities have difficulty in learning social skills. They have difficulty in perception and understanding of complex social situations and may misinterpret the behavior of their peers and to react with distress and anger.

Their limited knowledge base in the field of friendship may cause that they will not know how to initiate contact with peers and how to respond when other children contact with them. They need a constructive and focused teaching of social skills which is adapted to their level and difficulty. These children experience social rejection and loneliness more frequently than pupils in regular education (Malka, 1996, in Heiman 1999).

Author Biography

Shimrit Ochana, The Institute of International Relations of Moldova

Faculty of Political Science

Specialization: Theory, Political Methodology, Institutions and Political Processes

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