“…On the other hand, a wide range of studies point out the social benefits of integration, that in mainstream schools children learn to approach children with different characteristics (Romer and Haring, 1994), they develop empathy and acceptance of individual children's differences (Lieber et al, 1998) and they become more aware of and more responsive to other children's needs (Peck, Carlson and Helmestetter, 1992). Even if children do not hold positive attitudes towards children with special educational needs, feel discomfort or uncertainty, there is a strong argument that children's attitudes can be changed at an early age, through direct and increased exposure to and structured contact with children with special educational needs, as well as indirect experiences through books, videos and discussions (Favazza and Odom, 1997;Gash, 1993;Yuker, 1988;Esposito and Reed, 1986;Voeltz, 1980).…”