Research Article: Measuring young children’s attitudes toward peers with disabilities highlights from the research

Yu, S., Ostrosky, M., & Fowler, S. (2012). Measuring young children’s attitudes toward peers with disabilities highlights from the research. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 32(3), 132-142. doi: 10.1177/0271121412453175

ABSTRACT:

Young children with disabilities are increasingly attending inclusive early childhood programs with their typically developing peers. Within these programs, research efforts and practice have supported young children’s understanding and acceptance of peers with disabilities. However, there is limited information about the measures used to assess young children’s attitudes toward peers with disabilities. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to critically review the literature on young children’s attitudes toward peers with disabilities with an emphasis on measurement issues. Assessment instruments and the type of information that these assessments provide about the dimensions of attitudes toward peers with disabilities based on a conceptual model of attitude formation suggested by Triandis are highlighted. Implications for future research are addressed following the literature review.

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