Special Education ETDs
Publication Date
Spring 5-13-2022
Abstract
Social interactions and friendships are important for all individuals including those with complex support needs (CSN). The voices of adults including parents/guardians, primary caregivers, teachers, and related service providers who responded to a survey provided insight into supporting social interactions and friendships for children with CSN during the Covid-19 pandemic This mixed methods study used thematic analysis to explore participants’ responses to open-ended questions while multiple choice questions were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Additionally, this study included a research narrative to speak to the various roles I hold related to this study (i.e., parent, educator, researcher). Three themes emerged from the data including: (a) social interactions and friendships are important; (b) it takes a village, and (c) challenges of supporting social interactions and friendships for children with CSN. Three subthemes also arose from the analysis including: (a) social interactions and friendships come in different forms; (b) exposure of existing problems; and (c) personal reflection. I also discussed limitations of this study, possibilities for future research, and implications including: (a) friendships and social interaction opportunities are important and beneficial for children with CSN; (b) there continue to be few inclusive opportunities for children with CSN to engage in social interactions and develop and maintain friendships inside and outside of the classroom; and (c) expanding social networks for children and adults alike is needed.
Keywords
children with complex support needs, friendship, social interactions, Covid-19 pandemic, mixed-methods, disability
Document Type
Dissertation
Language
English
Degree Name
Special Education
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Department Name
Special Education
First Committee Member (Chair)
Susan Copeland
Second Committee Member
Ruth Luckasson
Third Committee Member
Erin Jarry
Fourth Committee Member
Jan Armstrong
Recommended Citation
Morales, Jorden. "Adults Perspectives of Friendships and Social Interaction Between Students With and Without Complex Support Needs During a Pandemic." (2022). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/educ_spcd_etds/64
Included in
Accessibility Commons, Communication Commons, Disability Studies Commons, Early Childhood Education Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Online and Distance Education Commons, Social Justice Commons, Special Education and Teaching Commons, Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons
