Children with Rare Diseases in the School: Social and Communication Difficulties

Abstract

Human beings are able to develop their social and communicative competences. However, we have to consider some difficulties, specifically in the socio- communicative functioning that people with rare disease have. Those diseases, which hinder their social and communicative development, are noticed in their facial expressions, speaking or movement impairment. The purpose of this study is to analyse the communication deficit, social skills and the inclusion process of students with rare diseases in the school context. Looking into the process of social and communicative competences acquisition that these students undergo according to their teachers’ opinions, and they also take part in the improvement of their socio-communicative process. This study was applied to a total of 50 active teachers in Early Years (Reception) and Primary School (KS1- KS2) in Spain. According to the findings, the Hermeneutic Unit (ATLAS.ti 7 Software) of the Verbal Report data shows that the main communicative difficulties, students must face, are the following: