Table 1.

Examples of Potential Barriers and Interventions to Support Positive Peer Interactions

Potential Barriers	Examples of Interventions
Personal Factors
• Limitations in socio-relational skills	Teach student to demonstrate an interest in peers through partner-focused questions and activities
Physical Environment
• Student always seated at back of classroom due to limited space for their adaptive equipment	Reorganize classroom furniture to accommodate student and AAC system Include student in central area in proximity to peers
• Peers are not familiar with AAC systems used by student with CCN	Demonstrate operation of AAC system for peers  Show peers how to wait for student to communicate via AAC
• Lack of interesting and meaningful activities to support peer interactions	Introduce range of computer games, books, and videos that student with CCN can share with peers to support their interactions; provide something for them to do together
• Lack of access to class activities with peers; student with CCN works individually with paraeducator	Adapt curriculum as required  Provide alternative ways for student with CCN to participate in collaborative learning activities
Social Environment
• Peers are hesitant to work with student with CCN in classroom activities	Teach peers appropriate interaction strategies (e.g., how to ask questions and respond to student’s communication)
• Peers attempt to include student with CCN, but do not provide wait time for the student to respond	Teach peers how to wait and provide the student with time to communicate
• Peers in the school are bullying the student with CCN	Introduce bystander intervention program with entire school to encourage peers to intervene when they witness bullying  Provide positive opportunities for peers to interact with the student with CCN