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Parent Question

Does my child need to make friends with typically developing kids?


Published: May. 6, 2022Updated: May. 6, 2022

We all benefit from having diverse friends. Our children are no different. Having friends with different abilities, interests, and backgrounds can enrich us and open us to new possibilities.

There are practical reasons, too: children with disabilities live in a world of predominantly non-disabled people. They need to know how to interact socially. This is important not only for their social-emotional well-being and their success in school now, but also for their future.

See our article Socialization and Inclusion: Nurturing Authentic Peer Relationships for ideas on how to help facilitate these friendships.

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