Undivided Live Event
Beyond the Classroom: Building Friendships and Belonging
with Dr. Zach Rossetti
October 20, 2026, 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. PT
Free Facebook Live
Every parent wants their child to have people who know them, include them, and genuinely want them around. But for kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities, friendships and a real sense of belonging can be harder to find, even when they’re included in school and community activities.
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Zach Rossetti about helping kids build friendships, connect with peers, and find a sense of belonging at school and beyond. We’ll talk about what meaningful inclusion really looks like, the role adults can play in creating opportunities for connection, and practical ways families can help their kids build relationships and community without forcing friendships or trying to make them “fit in.”
Can’t make our live event? Register your email, and we’ll send you the full replay video after the event!
About the speaker
Dr. Zach Rossetti
Dr. Zachary Rossetti is an associate professor of special education in the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University. A former elementary school special education teacher and inclusion facilitator from New Hampshire, Dr. Rossetti’s research focuses on social interactions and friendships between students with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. His research centers on participation and language access in IEP meetings, community participation, family-professional partnerships, and sibling roles and relationships.
He has co-authored Affirming disability: Strengths-based portraits of culturally diverse families and Seeing the Charade: What We Need to Do and Undo to Make Friendships Happen. In addition, Dr. Rossetti is editor in chief of Journal of Education and on the editorial board of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, and TASH’s practitioner journal, Inclusive Practices.
Learn more
Inclusion 101
5 Biggest Myths About Inclusion
Socialization and Inclusion: Nurturing Authentic Peer Relationships
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