Changing Stereotypes With Regard to Special Needs Through Children’s Literature

Authors

  • Lilith BAGHDASARYAN Armenian State Pedagogical University af. Kh. Abovyan
  • Armenuhi AVAGYAN Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University
  • Karine SARGSYAN Nersisyan primary school in Echmiadzin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24234/wisdom.v7i2.150

Keywords:

inclusive education, bibliotherapy, self-esteem measurement, M. Rokeach Value Survey, pre-reading discussion, post-reading discussion, a meeting with children with special needs

Abstract

We had the idea of this research, when we learned, that the children’s book about special needs: R.J. Palacio “Wonder” was translated into Armenian for the first time.

Books on this topic have not been written yet by Armenian authors. The point is that during Soviet years the working assumption was that all the people were “like each other”, perfect, beautiful, without problems, without disorders; all those, who did not meet those criteria (who had visual, auditory, physical, mental, even speech and communication limitations), grew up and spent their lives in special boarding institutions, segregated from their families and society. Being ashamed of their children, who were not ideal, the parents kept them at home, hidden from acquaintances, neighbours, sometimes even from relatives.

Attitudes have begun to change since then, and inclusive education has been a goal in Armenia since 2001. Despite the 15-year history of efforts at inclusive education, acceptance of people with special needs is still not evident in all corners of Armenian society. One of the most prevalent shortcomings is the stereotyping of people with special needs.

We decided to use the reading of the book R.J. Palacio “Wonder” for the purpose of helping people confront their attitudes and stereotypes about disabilities as they explored the lives in this unique book.

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Author Biographies

Lilith BAGHDASARYAN, Armenian State Pedagogical University af. Kh. Abovyan

Associate Professor of the Chair of Special Pedagogy and Psychology
at the Special Education Faculty of Khachatur Abovian
Armenian State Pedagogical University, PhD in Psychology

Armenuhi AVAGYAN, Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University

Dean of the Special Education Faculty at Khachatur Abovian Armenian
State Pedagogical University, Phd in Pedagogy, Associate
Professor

Karine SARGSYAN, Nersisyan primary school in Echmiadzin

Psychologist at №6 Psychologist at №6 Nersisyan primary school in Echmiadzin

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Published

2016-12-09

How to Cite

BAGHDASARYAN, L., AVAGYAN, A., & SARGSYAN, K. (2016). Changing Stereotypes With Regard to Special Needs Through Children’s Literature. WISDOM, 7(2), 156–161. https://doi.org/10.24234/wisdom.v7i2.150

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