The Role of Social Support for Students with Disabilities in Achieving Non-Academic Achievements

Abstract

The existence of inclusive schools gives an alternative opportunity for children with special needs (CWSN) to attend school. CWSN who attend inclusive schools need support from multiple stakeholders. These supports make them more able to survive in their lives and can even make them get some achievements. This research aims to describe the social supports of achieved CWSN in South Jakarta 226 Junior High School. By using a qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with two achieved CWSN, their friends, parent, sibling, and teachers. The data was collected through observation, study literature, and documentation study. The data was analyzed in many stages, starting from the organization, categorization, and interpretation, and conclusion. The results of this study indicate that the social supports received by CWSN are emotional, instrumental, appreciation, and informational social supports. These social supports are achieved by achieved CWSN through family (parent and siblings), friends, and teacher. Although the family has the most influence on students' achievement, the school also has a big role in the non-academic achievement of CWSN. The conclusion of this study is the collaboration between school and parent not only makes students survive in school but also has a big role to enhance the achievement of students with special needs. The recommendation to schools and government is the provision of social support in school can enhance the non-academic achievement for CWSN.