An Examination of the Social Acceptance Levels of Gifted Students Toward Students with Disabilities

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the social acceptance levels of gifted students toward students with disabilities. The study, using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, was conducted in a city in southeastern Turkey. The present study group comprised 101 students from Grades 2, 3, and 4, identified as gifted. It is a descriptive study that reveals the views of gifted students, with regard to how they are willing to share the same neighbourhood, school, classroom, group, and desk with students with disabilities. Based on the study findings, students with visual impairments, hearing impairments, and physical disabilities were the disability groups with the highest levels of social acceptance by the gifted students. On the other hand, students with intellectual disabilities and those on the autism spectrum were the disability groups with the lowest levels of social acceptance. The participants were aware of the difficulties that their peers with disabilities experience in certain areas at school.