Abstract
This study aimed to investigate selected elementary school pupil’s preconceptions and misconceptions toward people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Two hundred and thirty-five Czech pupils completed self-constructed questionnaire.
Pupil’s knowledge and attitudes toward ID were compared and evaluated using parametric Student’s t-test. The pupils were aged between 10 - 15 years.
Major study findings indicated that 5th grade pupils have more misconceptions about people with ID. The older children have a more sophisticated preconceptions (particularly attitudes) about ID compared with the 5th grade pupils.
The study point out the importance of research in the field of pupil’s preconceptions and misconceptions toward ID as a one of the most important factor of effective inclusive education and social acceptance of pupils with ID.