"Best friends": The construction of a teenage friendship

A case study of a friendship between two high school students with disabili ties was reported. The study was part of a research project on the social r elationships of children and youth with disabilities. Ethnographic intervie ws and participant observations were used to accomplish two goals: (a) deli neating the features of a spontaneous friendship between two young women in a self-contained high school class and (b) assisting them in pursuing soci al activities together outside of school. The "insider perspectives" of the participants regarding their friendship is presented as is an interpretati on of factors that supported and constrained the relationship. The importan ce of professionals encouraging the formation of networks among the familie s of youth with disabilities and of respecting families' cultural perspecti ves is emphasized.