What is the best way for a special education teacher to support a student who wants to join a baseball team and meet family goals?

• A. Coaching the student on the baseball rules
• B. Attending baseball games with the student to find a suitable team
• C. Introducing the student to peers who play baseball to develop team skills
• D. Persuading the IEP team to add a baseball-related accommodation to the IEP

Answer: (C)

Introducing the student to peers who already play baseball focuses on building social connections and team-ready behaviors in a natural, supportive setting. When the student interacts with classmates who are active on a baseball team, they can observe and imitate teamwork, turn-taking, communication during play, and shared goal-setting. These peer interactions create a social foundation that makes it more likely the student can join a team, participate meaningfully, and continue in the activity over time. This approach also gives the teacher a chance to gauge strengths and needs in real play, so supports can be targeted and aligned with family goals of inclusion and community participation.

While coaching on baseball rules can support understanding, it doesn’t by itself ensure access to a team or the social skills needed for participation. Attending games with the student may help logistics and comfort, but without building peer connections, the student might still struggle to engage with teammates. Persuading the IEP team to add a baseball-related accommodation addresses formal supports but doesn’t directly develop the social and collaborative abilities that enable sustained participation on a team.