Supporting Transitions Through Peer Buddy Systems: Insights from Selected Researches
Keywords:
Transition Programs, Peer Buddy System, Social Integration, Inclusion, Transition CurriculumAbstract
Transition programs are essential in the lives of students transitioning from high school to postsecondary life. These programs are a series of structured activities and planning processes that prepare students for adult life. Peer buddy systems are a critical and promising intervention strategy in transition education, especially for students with disabilities as they navigate their move from high school to postsecondary and adult life as they foster inclusion, skill acquisition, and self-determination. This literature review aims to synthesize existing research about the role of peer buddies in transition programs. It aims to identify themes about peer support in transition education through five steps of the theoretical literature review process. The findings suggest that peer buddy programs support learners with special needs in their transition, addressing the following themes: social integration and peer relationships, holistic development and skill acquisition, inclusive participation, and environmental support. Implications for special education teachers and policymakers include considering the effectiveness of peer buddy systems in helping Learners with Disabilities (LWDs) in their transition curriculum specifically for making laws and designing individualized plans and programs.
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