Loneliness

__**Loneliness**__

It is important to address the issue of loneliness when it comes to a student with special needs. There are two main reasons why students with special needs may be more vulnerable to feeling lonely compared to students who do not require additional needs. These are the fact the student may have difficulty decoding social situations and processing social cues, meaning they become an outcast with their peers. Secondly, they may not be able to participate or feel comfortable participating in a lot of the activities that promote a sense of belonging and that form friendships. A number of areas and strategies are recommended to ensure the student have multiple opportunities to work on their social skills and interact successfully with other students. For example: (Foreman, 2008, p 235)
 * Teaching the student social skills like conflict revolution or social problem solving skills.
 * Creating opportunities for social interaction like extracurricular activates or structured activities during breaks.
 * Creating an accepting classroom environment by promoting awareness of additional needs and developing rapport between students.
 * Teaching adaptive coping strategies by changing self-perceptions and teaching a range of them.
 * Enhancing the student self esteem by using positive reinforcement and giving students jobs and responsibilities within the classroom.

[] This resource shares what it is like for an autistic child and how they see friendship.

Reference: Foreman, P 2008, //Inclusion in Action,// 2nd edn, Cengage Learning, Melbourne.