Transitions of Children with Additional Support Needs across Stages

TY - CHAP

T1 - Transitions of Children with Additional Support Needs across Stages

AU - Mays, Daniel

AU - Jindal-Snape, Divya

AU - Boyle, Christopher

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Educational transition is a dynamic and ongoing process of adaptation due to a move from one educational context and set of interpersonal relationships to another. The educational context can involve a change in educational systems or moving across different stages of education, such as moving from one class to another, moving from primary school to secondary school, or from a special school to a mainstream school. The changes in interpersonal relationships involve leaving old peers and staff behind and forming relationships with the people in the new environment. Positive transitions can stimulate a child’s development, while negative transitions can lead to difficulties with their social and emotional wellbeing as well as to a dip in their academic attainment and academic motivation. With this in mind, the authors found that students who require additional support may be more at risk of being negatively affected during the transition periods. This chapter discusses different stages of educational transitions and considers research evidence related to the experience of students with additional support needs (Pre-school to primary school, Primary school to secondary school, Post-school transitions). Numerous suggestions for the formation of successful and inclusive transition models are given. The literature reviewed suggests that most children navigate transitions successfully but for some – especially for students who require additional support in the area of emotional and social development, they involve adaptation and adjustment over a longer period of time. The authors conclude that person-centred planning could be useful at all stages, especially if it were linked with Individual Education Plans and Transition Plans.

AB - Educational transition is a dynamic and ongoing process of adaptation due to a move from one educational context and set of interpersonal relationships to another. The educational context can involve a change in educational systems or moving across different stages of education, such as moving from one class to another, moving from primary school to secondary school, or from a special school to a mainstream school. The changes in interpersonal relationships involve leaving old peers and staff behind and forming relationships with the people in the new environment. Positive transitions can stimulate a child’s development, while negative transitions can lead to difficulties with their social and emotional wellbeing as well as to a dip in their academic attainment and academic motivation. With this in mind, the authors found that students who require additional support may be more at risk of being negatively affected during the transition periods. This chapter discusses different stages of educational transitions and considers research evidence related to the experience of students with additional support needs (Pre-school to primary school, Primary school to secondary school, Post-school transitions). Numerous suggestions for the formation of successful and inclusive transition models are given. The literature reviewed suggests that most children navigate transitions successfully but for some – especially for students who require additional support in the area of emotional and social development, they involve adaptation and adjustment over a longer period of time. The authors conclude that person-centred planning could be useful at all stages, especially if it were linked with Individual Education Plans and Transition Plans.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105004667051

U2 - 10.1163/9789004431171_010

DO - 10.1163/9789004431171_010

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:105004667051

SN - 978-90-04-43116-4

SN - 978-90-04-43115-7

VL - 45

T3 - Studies in Inclusive Education

SP - 163

EP - 178

BT - Studies in Inclusive Education

A2 - Boyle, Christopher

A2 - Anderson, Joanna

A2 - Page, Angela

A2 - Mavropoulou, Sofia

PB - Brill Academic Publishers

ER -