The influence of societal stereotypes on attitudes and behaviour of parents and teachers towards children with intellectual disabilities

How might negative societal stereotypes influence attitudes and behaviours of parents and teachers towards children with intellectual disabilities (ID)? Emerging evidence will be presented for a psychosocial model that suggests how prevailing societal views of disability influence parent and teacher beliefs in ways that may act as barriers to social inclusion. The presentation will focus on relationships between attributional beliefs about disability, and parent and teacher behaviours. Implications for positive change will be discussed.