Similarities and variation in preschool special education studies: an overview of main content themes in Nordic research

Abstract

This review aims to provide an overview of content in Nordic research between 2006–2014 in the field of special education in preschool. More specifically, this review identifies the similarities and variation in and between content in the research. A total of 31 studies were found to be relevant. A summative thematic content analysis was made. The review revealed five main content themes: ‘special education and children in preschool’; ‘inclusion and participation’; ‘relationships, interaction, and cooperation’; ‘special educators’; and ‘special education documentation’. The themes give a better understanding of what content areas are focused on in the field of research. The result of the review points towards a shift in research. This from mainly have focused on individual-based interventions, to have a clearer direction to issues involving occupational groups responsibilities and opportunities in creating a preschool for all children, and concerns related to conditions for inclusion in spatial, social, and educational ways.