Promoting Social Interaction of Children with Disabilities in Integrated Preschools: A Failure to Generalize

In this study, the Classwide Social Skills Program (CSSP) was introduced for all children in four integrated preschool classes, and generalization of effects was measured across settings and over time for 14 children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 5 years. Results indicated that the CSSP increased the positive play of children with disabilities to levels comparable to classmates without disabilities. Levels of teacher reinforcement toward the children with disabilities increased as well. These increases in teacher and child behaviors, however, did not generalize to 3- or 6-month follow-up periods nor to another play session in the day. Implications for promoting social interaction in integrated preschool settings are discussed.