Friendships are vital to the development of all young people. Friendships in school have academic as well as social benefits. For some children, friendships are a way to improve their communication, cognitive and social skills.

• pay close attention to the seating arrangement. Place a student who is at risk of being isolated in the front of the room, next to peers who will be supportive. Avoid designating space to be used only by students with disabilities.
• use cooperative base groups in which students are encouraged to support one another. Use a partner system in class. Rotate partners on a monthly basis, carefully selecting the partner for the student with special needs.
• conduct awareness sessions with students to help dispel myths about people with disabilities. Encourage students to see the value in each person.
• serve as a model of how to interact with the student, demonstrating respect for the student. For example: avoid talking about the student in front of him/her unless he/she is included in the conversation, let a student know he/she is welcome, show your acceptance of differences and openness in problem solving.
• comment positively on any social interactions between the student and his/her peers..
• use role playing and other techniques to help students develop needed social skills.
• help schedule the student into extracurricular activities.
• invite the student to have lunch and have two or three other students join you.
• recruit two or three students in the class to "show the student the ropes" and provide support when needed.
• explain to the class why friendships are important.
• participate in teacher inservice on friendship building.
• assist peers in developing friendship problem solving skills.
• hold a weekly classroom forum - a time when students can feel free to discuss problems and ways to improve the classroom climate.

• encourage their son or daughter to invite friend to their home. Make your home inviting. Structure activities to foster friendship when children visit.
• help their child become part of an extracurricular activity by becoming aware of the choices and helping to arrange transportation.
• support their child's participation in social activities by attending events.
• keep in touch with teachers. Ask about potential friendships. Foster a sense a belonging to the community by being involved in activities, events and groups.
• communicate with parents of potential friends to dispel any discomfort they may feel.
• participate in parent activities at school to acquaint yourself with other parents.
• provide experiences at home that foster friendship skills.
• keep abreast of current customs in social behaviour amongst your child's peers.
• tap community resources that include interaction between special needs and other children.
• dress their child so that he/she will be accepted by peers. Consider age appropriate clothing, hairstyle and accessories.
• facilitate telephone calls between friends.
• find a volunteer or hire someone to support their child in community activities.

• arrange to join the student for lunch on certain days.
• say hello in the halls. Provide encouragement and understanding in stressful situations.
• go over and talk to the student, particularly when the student is alone. Help the student to get to know the environment.
• invite the student to join a club or activity. Become a peer helper. Prompt the student on ways to behave appropriately.
• call the student on the telephone.
• go out of their way to sit with the student on the bus.
• become a part of the student's circle. This helps to make sure he/she becomes a part of the school.
• help the student get around the school. Walk, or wheel, the student to class.
• arrange to sit next to the student in class and to help out whenever needed.
• encourage friends to welcome this student into the group.
• share a locker with the student.
• learn more about the student. For example, learn how to communicate through basic sign language, how to operate a wheelchair safely and what some of the students likes and dislikes are.