Who is a defectologist
Definition 1
A defectologist is a special teacher who conducts correctional classes with children with various developmental disabilities.
Definition 2
Defectology is a science that appeared at the intersection of pedagogy and medicine, but a defectologist is not a doctor.
A defectologist is a correctional teacher whose main task is to organize correctional educational processes for children with disabilities (hereinafter referred to as HIA). A defectologist carries out correctional activities not only in preschool educational institutions, but also in schools, social and rehabilitation centers, and clinics. A defectologist can work not only individually with a specific child, but also with a group of children.
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Currently, the following branches of defectology are distinguished:
- Oligophrenopedagogy – carries out correctional work with children with various intellectual disabilities (mental retardation, mental retardation, etc.).
- Deaf pedagogy – carries out correctional work with children with various hearing problems.
- Typhlopedagogy – deals with correctional work with children with visual impairments.
- Speech therapy – carries out correctional work with children who have a variety of speech disorders.
The work of a defectologist in a kindergarten is very diverse, and its content and direction depend on the specific disorders identified in the pupils. Unlike kindergartens, special education teachers are much less common in general education schools, since they work mainly in specialized schools, with children with disabilities. In general education schools, speech therapists and psychologists work with children.
Another important aspect of a defectologist’s work is instilling in children the necessary household and social skills. Since a child with intellectual disability does not adapt well to life, and children with visual impairment (blindness) cannot navigate in space. A defectologist is called upon to help cope with these problems.
Finished works on a similar topic
Coursework Defectologist in kindergarten, his responsibilities 490 ₽ Abstract Defectologist in kindergarten, his responsibilities 230 ₽ Test work Defectologist in kindergarten, his responsibilities 240 ₽
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Features of the profession
The specialist performs the duties of a psychologist and defectologist. It is important not only to correct the child’s intellectual abilities, but also to find the cause of their occurrence, which are conventionally divided into two types.
- Physical: congenital pathologies of the brain, nervous system, hearing, vision.
- Psychological: problems associated with upbringing, psychological trauma.
A feature of defectology is that all children are subject to correction, regardless of the cause of the existing disorders. For severe pathologies that cannot be treated, maintenance therapy is carried out.
In his work, a defectologist works closely with a psychologist. To increase the effectiveness of classes and the attractiveness of their candidacy on the labor market, teachers receive an additional specialty as a psychologist. This allows them to better understand children and create individual programs depending on the needs and developmental characteristics of the child.
Only a stress-resistant person who knows how to differentiate between work and personal life can work as a speech-language pathologist. Often patients are children from disadvantaged families with serious psychological problems. Such a child is difficult to treat and requires special attention and care.
Work of a defectologist with children in kindergarten
The work of a defectologist in a kindergarten is to educate, teach, introduce people to the world around them, broaden their horizons, introduce them to human culture, and much more. The list of activities of a defectologist in kindergarten is very extensive. The teacher independently selects areas of correctional work for each child. The choice depends on the general level of development of the child, his age and the type of disorder identified in him.
Note 1
The general goal of a speech pathologist’s work in a kindergarten is to develop each child’s sustainable motivation to learn.
The work of a defectologist in a kindergarten includes the following stages:
- The first stage is a comprehensive examination aimed at studying all aspects of the child’s development. For example, the teacher establishes how the child makes contact, what his working tempo is, and his understanding of oral instructions, auditory and visual perception are examined.
- The second stage is the division of children into groups, depending on the results of the examination. If a child is not able to work in a group (for example, autistic people), then classes will be conducted individually for them.
- The third stage is direct correctional work, according to individually drawn up plans.
The speech pathologist conducts classes in the following areas:
- Familiarization with the surrounding world - aimed at developing ideas about the world, nature, animals and phenomena; development of responsibility and attentiveness for one’s own actions.
- Development of elementary mathematical concepts - the teacher introduces children to the size and shape of objects, as well as their other characteristics.
The defectologist pays great attention to sensorimotor development in children. Children are involved in finger games, construction using parts of various sizes, examination of a variety of unusual objects, natural materials, etc.
In addition to working with children, the defectologist also works with their parents. Work with parents is carried out in the form of consultations (group and individual), interviews, conversation, etc.
Note 2
The techniques and methods of work of a defectologist depend on the type and degree of the disorder. The correctional educational process is based on the characteristics of the disorder.
When working with children with hearing problems, the work of a speech pathologist is aimed at helping the child adapt to the world around him. In case of hearing loss, correctional work is carried out to preserve and develop communication skills; in case of deafness, children are taught sign language.
Working with children with vision problems is also aimed at their successful adaptation in society. To do this, the defectologist teaches children using special books, when working with which children are given the opportunity to form the necessary understanding of the world around them and learn to read.
Another important area is the development of self-service skills in children. This is due to the fact that parents often strive to help the child in everything, sometimes even doing most of the work for him and thereby depriving him of the opportunity to be independent and take care of himself.
Independence and self-care are of great importance for the further successful life of a child. Adults will not always be able to be with a child (teenager), which is why it is important to instill vital skills. Such skills include dressing yourself, cleaning up toys and things, the ability to wash your hands and face, make tea, etc.
Note 3
Thus, the work of a defectologist in a kindergarten is to organize an effective correctional educational process, depending on the type of disorder in the child; formation of necessary skills for successful adaptation and socialization in modern society.
Goals and objectives
A correctional psychologist-defectologist performs the following tasks:
- study of the child’s level of intelligence, characteristics of physical and mental development;
- development of an individual training program;
- development of memory, thinking, stimulation of brain activity;
- development of communication skills, elimination of stiffness, embarrassment;
- elimination of speech therapy problems, assistance in producing sounds;
- development of fine and gross motor skills;
- assistance in socializing the child, accepting the shortcomings of the body and mind;
- consultation of parents on issues of raising and educating a child.
The main goal of the specialist is to eliminate psychological barriers to intellectual development. To achieve this, joint work with parents is organized, which allows for a comprehensive approach to the problem.
To fulfill the assigned tasks, the teacher must be able to:
- quickly find a common language with the child, form trusting relationships with patients;
- find the patient’s weaknesses and causes of psychological disorders;
- teach reading and writing in non-traditional ways;
- work with children of different ages.
The work is difficult, but interesting. This profession is suitable only for those who sincerely love children and are ready to put up with the pranks and whims of little patients.
There are many other areas of work for psychologists.
Counting to one hundred
A second-grade student with mental retardation began attending group classes with a special education teacher twice a week. She walked without desire, did not know how to count to one hundred, but hid it, claiming that she could count well.
Already in the fourth lesson, she learned to count to 100. Success increased motivation to learn: the child went to the next lessons with pleasure.
To successfully learn to count to one hundred, in addition to hearing, vision and speech, touch and movement were also involved.
A special education teacher does not teach children mathematics or the Russian language (although classes in these subjects are carried out in the correctional process). The impact is aimed at the cause of the difficulty that has arisen, which makes it possible to overcome or weaken deficiencies in mental and physical development.
When to contact a speech pathologist
Psychologists point out problems with a child’s development during a routine examination and admission to kindergarten. Most often, children are diagnosed with delayed speech development. It is associated with neurological diseases, but psychological causes are also possible.
A pediatric speech pathologist provides consultations on the following issues.
Difficulty with movements.
There are two possible options: hyperactivity and hypoactivity. In the first case, the child is constantly on the move, waving his arms and legs even during rest, and has difficulty falling asleep. With hypoactivity, on the contrary, the child moves little, apathetic with confirmed physical health and good health.
Inability to play games.
By the age of three, a child should learn to play independently with toys and other children. If the baby freaks out, screams during play, and cannot concentrate on one activity for 10 minutes or more, then the help of a specialist is needed.
Aggressive behavior.
If a child over 3 years old behaves aggressively, refusing to play and study, then he has psychological problems.
Slow mental development.
When assessing intellectual development, you need to rely on average frameworks, allowing your child to develop a little more slowly. Specialist help is required in case of serious deviations from the recommended norm. For example, if at the age of 5 a child does not know the names of flowers or animals, it is difficult to remember the names of loved ones.
Slow speech development.
It is worth contacting a defectologist if the child refuses to answer the questions asked or has a low vocabulary.
It is difficult for parents to assess the development of their own children, so regular examinations by a neurologist and psychologist are recommended for timely correction.
According to generally accepted standards, a speech therapist or defectologist-psychologist is required in the following cases:
- at 7 months the baby does not respond to speech addressed to him, does not take toys;
- does not “babble” per year;
- at 2.5 years old does not know simple words, cannot make sentences of 2-3 words;
- at 3 years old, saliva flows, there are problems with articulation;
- at 5 years old does not make a sentence;
- stutters;
- is lagging behind in mental development, lacks the desire to learn;
- has diseases of the psyche or nervous system;
- has hearing or vision problems.
Many problems can only be solved by a neurologist. But even with confirmed neurological problems, a consultation with a defectologist will not hurt.
"It became easier"
A ten-year-old disabled child with SMDD was admitted to school. I had not visited child care institutions before. He has severe intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Initial communication skills have not been formed, does not speak, behavior is inadequate, does not understand instructions and drawings, and many elementary concepts have not been formed.
A school schedule convenient for the child was agreed with the parents. Classes were conducted individually with a high degree of involvement of the mother. Almost every lesson for a speech pathologist is open. The individual form of classes allows you to select effective approaches, take into account as much as possible the characteristics of students with SMDD, and create a situation of success for each child. This increases their motivation to learn and cognitive activity.
After six months of correctional and developmental classes and home exercises, positive development dynamics appeared. During the next examination, the neurologist remarked: “What’s wrong with the child? A meaningful look and normal behavior appeared.” A year later, the student began to speak, work with simple cards, and follow instructions.
Mom about the result of classes with a speech pathologist: “It has become easier at home and in public places, now you can go to the store with him.”
Among the children and adults around him at school, at the beginning, there was fear and misunderstanding. Now relations have changed to tolerant and friendly. They communicate with the child and shake hands.
There are no uneducable children. Any child can be helped to advance in development.
