Integration in The Netherlands Loek Mak-Peters and Mieke van Waaijenburg

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland Principles: Proximity Normalisation

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland The balance: Mainstream education whenever possible Special education if and when necessary

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland New Legislation 1998 Primary School Act(WPO) Secondary School Act(WVO) Act on Centers of Expertise(WEC)

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland Centers of Expertise –Cluster 1: visual impairment –Cluster 2: auditory impairment, severe language and communication problems –Cluster 3: physically handicapped children, multicomplex problems –Cluster 4: psychiatric disorders and severe behaviour problems

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland The tasks of a center of expertise To provide education To provide peripatetic teachers To develop knowledge in their field of expertise Diagnostic services

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland Cluster 4 What is the basis for a “statement” in cluster 4? –A diagnosis according to DSM IV; or –Six months of therapy from a healthcare institution; –Problems in the following areas: –School; –Home; –Leisure time.

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland “The Backpack-principle” If “statemented” a pupil in primary education, secondary education has a choice: –Special Education or –Mainstream Education in combination with a so-called “backpack”

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland Peripatetic services To help and support schools from the perspective of the special needs pupil

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland Mainstream schools Draw up an Individual Education Plan (IEP) Parents have to agree with measures taken and the way the money is spent It is an agreement for one academic year It is an agreement between parents and the mainstream school

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland The peripatetic teacher Draws up the Supportplan i.e. the agreement on what help the school wants, where, when, how often a peripatetic teachers drops in

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland What activities e.g Class – room visits; Conversations with teachers on how to adapt learning, teaching and environment; Teacher’s courses; Workshops; Procedures to obtain a statement; Evaluative talks with teachers and parents

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland Newer developments Mainstream schools combine a number of pupils with a backpack to give the extra aid in a separate class-room in their school Mainstream schools choose to specialize in one particular group of special needs pupils

Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding Midden Nederland Inclusion Ideology, fashion, money-matter or An attempt to give a child a happy, friendly and stimulating environment in which it is accepted for itself and which tends to its particular needs.