The Role of Peer Support for Students with Disability in Inclusive Education

Peer interaction and peer support contribute to the social development of people with disabilities and have a positive impact on improving their quality of life in the long term. Peer support is effective in increasing adjustment and increasing the quality and quantity of opportunities for participation in the classroom. However, students with disabilities in gaining peer support and acceptations by them experience many challenges in inclusive education system. Therefore, the use of peer support approach in the inclusive education system is essential.
Research findings indicate that peer support contributes to the development of social skills, increased social interactions and social competencies, and have positive outcomes such as reducing prejudices, understanding realities, accepting differences, increasing socialization, and enhancing positive engagement with each other for students with and without disabilities. In this article, after describing the brief introduction, the definition and importance of peer support are discussed. In addition, the influential factors, methods and techniques of the effectiveness of peer support, the principles and foundations of peer support, the benefits of peer support, and the barriers and challenges of peer support are presented.