Social media use training for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A step towards connecting students with and without disability

Pammi Raghavendra, Fiona Rillotta, Abi Thirumanickam

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: To investigate whether social media use training would improve the social media skills of students with intellectual/developmental disabilities and facilitate social connections between students with and without disabilities. Methods:A sequential mixed-method design was used. Five students with intellectual/developmental disabilities (aged12and13) from a special school participated in social media use training conducted at school over1½ school terms. Individualised goals were developed in collaboration with the students and their parents. Intervention included training on (1) cyber-safety, (2) age-appropriate social media platform (e.g. Google Hangout,Gmail), and (3) the use of accessibility features (Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech) to facilitate with literacy challenges. The social networks of the participants were mapped using the Circle of Communication Partners(CCP) pre- and post-intervention. A shared group forum between students with and without disabilities was created to encourage online communication outside school hours and during the holidays. Results:There was a small increase in online communication partners following the training. Three out of five participants achieved their individualised goals (GAS T-score>50). Main challenges included difficulties with basic social skills for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, access to application downloads and online interaction between students with and without disabilities. Implications:The findings from this study provide preliminary information about the importance of social media use training for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Original languageEnglish
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Aug 2019
EventInternational Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) 16th World Congress: Future4All - SEC Centre, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Duration: 6 Aug 20199 Aug 2019
http://www.iassidd2019.com/

Conference

ConferenceInternational Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) 16th World Congress
Abbreviated titleIASSIDD19
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityGlasgow, Scotland
Period6/08/199/08/19
Internet address

Keywords

  • social media use
  • Inclusive education
  • School-aged students
  • Intellectual disabilities

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Social media use training for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A step towards connecting students with and without disability'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this