The use of educational and therapeutic methods while working with children and the youth with moderate, severe and profound intellectual disability

Abstract

The teachers who work at kindergartens, schools and special centres for children and the youth with moderate or severe intellectual disability employ methods that can be called educational and therapeutic. The specificity of these methods allows teachers to pursue both educational and therapeutic goals, that is those that stem from the basic objectives of special education and rehabilitation (special therapy) of students with profound intellectual disabilities. Education and rehabilitation of this group of students constitute an inseparable system, i.e. these processes intertwine and complement each other. This paper indicates the methods used in special institutions; the terms and conditions that should be observed by the teachers who have decided to employ such methods are also discussed here. Due to the fact that some of the methods are also used while working with students with profound intellectual disabilities, the reflections and suggestions presented here apply also to this group of people.