Charnin, also known as Ming, attends the International School of Bangkok (ISB) and is a valued member of his grade 3 class.  He will be moving to grade 4 this year, has many friends and learns alongside 35 other students. He loves art, especially drawing. He is an outstanding artist and his teammates go to him for guidance and instruction. Having Ming in ISB classes, taught the school to think about differentiation in a whole new way. His presence inspired deeper thought into how students are taught, making a positive impact on everyone. Ming works in partnerships, small groups, and is more confident and proud of his accomplishments because of peer feedback. Being a valued team-member has improved Ming’s ability to follow directions, seek support from teammates and work alongside others on projects. Ming has had a profound impact on classroom culture. Inclusion means that all students develop social, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to get along with others in diverse communities. Ming’s outgoing, kind, funny nature established a network of friends that exemplifies ISB’s values of respect, care, integrity and gratitude.

Dr. Nicole Sparapani is an Assistant Professor at the University of California Davis and a faculty member of the MIND Institute The UC Davis MIND Institute is a collaborative international research center, committed to the awareness, understanding, prevention, and treatment of the challenges associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Dominique Blue is a special educator working in China. Like many of you, she has worked in schools where there is no official special education program.

Sara is originally from Japan and has completed grade one at the International School of Bangkok. Sara is a little ray of sunshine and everyone that meets her or interacts with her is smiling! She is much loved by her peers, adults and anyone that meets her. She loves painting, music and dancing, playing with dolls and the iPad. Sara is quick to smile and laugh with others. She has a great sense of fun. Sara can be determined and when this is focussed on her learning, it is a big help to her. She has had a great year in first grade and has made so much progress and growth with her learning and interaction with others. Sara has had such a positive impact on her peers. It has highlighted the students’ kindness, inclusiveness, caring and understanding of everyone being different and having different needs.