Importance of Sense of Belonging for Children with Learning Difficulties in Schools

Running head: ACCEPTANCE OF SPECIAL CHILDREN IN SCHOOL
ACCEPTANCE OF SPECIAL CHILDREN IN SCHOOL
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ACCEPTANCE OF SPECIAL CHILDREN IN SCHOOL
Introduction
Disabled children and children with learning difficulties are one of the most sidelined
and left out. The word “handicapped” does not only refer to physical disability like blindness
and deafness but also refers to mental disabilities like autism, dyslexia, speech disorder and
many more. It is estimated that about 93 million children are disabled in the world
(Unicef.org, 2019). Children with special needs have faced discrimination from a very long
time and have they have been exposed to physical abuse as well. Earlier, children with
special needs and learning difficulties were not treated equally, they did not go to schools or
step out of the house. Under the act, Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), governments from all over
the world have taken the responsibility of making sure that every children, irrespective of
disability, enjoy the rights they are entitled to without any discrimination of any sort
(Unicef.org, 2019). Special schools were set up for the education of differently abled children
and children with learning difficulties with specialized trained teachers and different learning
equipment’s, the emerging question is whether they are able to cope up with the general
children in the usual world thus from here a sense of belonging arouses. This paper proposes
to investigate the importance of a sense of belonging in children with learning difficulties in
schools. Belonging means acceptance and it is very important amongst the children with
special needs to feel they are accepted in the society and especially in their schools where
they spend most of their times after house to ensure their healthy growth and development in
the competitive world.

2ACCEPTANCE OF SPECIAL CHILDREN IN SCHOOL
Literature Review
Sense of belonging means a feeling of acceptance by others in various social settings.
This a human need as feeling of acceptance boosts self-esteem and helps to cope up with
emotional pain.
Sense of belonging among children with learning difficulties
The concept of sense of belonging in psycho-social concept has been defined as a
stretch to which an individual feels himself or herself socially connected and accustomed,
included, accepted, respected and assisted by others in varied social contexts and dynamics.
Research suggests that people who feel socially connected and accepted exhibit a higher rate
of mental and physical well-being. In the context of special schools meant for children with
learning difficulties, certain measures can be implemented to enhance a sense of belonging to
the children, for instance, school engagement, amicable teacher-student relationships as well
as genuine peer-to-peer relationships among children in the class and outside as well.
It is necessary to prioritize sense of belonging to enhance their effort, achievement
and their motivation. According to researches when students with learning difficulties (such
as dyslexia, autism) feel they are accepted in their school community they feel motivated and
start engaging in academics as well as co-curricular activities (Garrote, et al.,2017). Feelings
of belonging in school when improved, supports student’s achievement and engagement.
Attitude towards counsellors and teachers
It has been observed that children with learning difficulties feel shy or hesitant to
interact with their peers in the classroom or in schools and mainly restrict themselves to their
own domain. The role of teachers also play a huge role in helping create a sense of belonging.
New teaching practices like fair treatment, positive management of the classroom, sensitive