Defectology second higher education. Special (defectological) education (bachelor's degree)
The profession of a defectologist is to work with children who need adaptation to society, education and training to get rid of physical or psychological abnormalities. A specialist must not only be able to create the right program for working with children, but also have the skills to communicate with children, the ability to interest them in such training, and develop in the child a desire to cope with their problems.
History of the profession of defectologist
The origin of the profession occurred at the beginning of the 20th century. At this time, many scientists began to study the causes of deviations in children, classify and determine the most effective methods for individual development. Special centers were created in which research was carried out and in which future specialists were trained. For example, in the USSR such an institution was a special research institute of defectology in Moscow.
Features of the profession of defectologist
Conventionally, defectologists can be divided into two separate categories: those who are engaged in in-depth study of science and directly teachers who work with children. In the first case, you will need important knowledge in this field of medicine and the development of your own methodologies for working with children. Accordingly, a person engaged in research must receive a professorship.
To work with children, specialists are selected who are not only strong in defectology, but also familiar with the features and principles of child psychology. It is important to find the right approach to children so that training and education take place in a positive way. And the children saw the defectologist not as a doctor, but as a teacher. Only such a system of conducting classes will allow the child to get rid of complexes and engage in self-improvement.
Pros and cons of the profession of defectologist
The main advantage of being a defectologist is it could be considered opportunity to help children who for some reason cannot become full-fledged members of society. And the teacher’s task will be to develop the individual, acquire the necessary skills and abilities for further social recognition. The greatest advantage of the work is its importance. Help for families who have a child with physical and or psychological disabilities is simply invaluable. And the main reward is moral satisfaction from the work done and the positive result. On the material side, this is a decent salary for a specialist and the opportunity to further develop and create their own work to help young and inexperienced defectologists.
Disadvantages of being a defectologist, or rather, the limitation is the recruitment of specialists. Not everyone can become a professional in the field of defectology. And before you start studying in this medical field, you need to determine whether the student really knows how to communicate with children, whether his behavior towards students will be correct, whether he knows how to adapt to unique situations and make useful adjustments to the program. Obtaining a diploma is based on knowledge in this specialty, but the personal qualities of the teacher are no less important. Therefore, a limited circle of people will be able to get a job and achieve positive results.
Demand for the profession of defectologist
The demand for defectologists at the moment is very high. Many children, for one reason or another, cannot communicate with their peers at the proper level, or they do not possess those skills that will become decisive in further education and personality development. There are also quite a few children with physical disabilities who cannot study with other children.
Defectologists are needed in kindergartens, schools, preschool development centers, special institutions, sanatoriums and orphanages. But before being hired, a specialist will have to undergo an interview, which will show the employee’s professional skills.
Profession defectologist - salary
The average salary is $800 per month. But one should also take into account the special difference between defectologists-teachers and defectologists-researchers. In particular, scientific works are rated lower than work with children.
In addition to acquiring basic knowledge and gaining experience, speech pathologists should remember to constantly study this area to improve their skills and knowledge. In other words, attending seminars, communicating with researchers in the field and reading modern literature on defectology will be the most reliable solution for recognition among senior colleagues and providing truly important and useful help to children.
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Applicants are offered a wide range of training areas. One of the specialties that can be seen in some universities, academies and institutes is “Special (defectological) education.” People who have completed their studies in this area are considered unique and sought-after specialists in the modern world. Which universities offer this? Who do graduates who have completed the educational program and received diplomas work in?
Defectological education: the essence of the direction
Children and adults with disabilities need qualified assistance from specialists. It is provided by trained speech pathologists. People receive this profession after completing their studies at universities in the field of “Defectology education.”
During their studies, each student studies many disciplines. These include “Pedagogy”, and “Psychology”, and “Medico-biological foundations of defectology”, and “Clinic of intellectual disabilities”, etc. As a result of mastering the program, a person can engage in correctional pedagogical and consultative-diagnostic activities :
- correct developmental disorders;
- develop individual educational and correctional programs;
- study the characteristics of psychophysical development and the needs of persons with disabilities;
- provide recommendations to persons with disabilities and their family members.
Profiles of special (defectological) education
When enrolling in the field of “Special Defectology Education”, applicants, as a rule, make a choice between profiles. Their number depends on the university. For example, applicants to a bachelor’s degree may be offered the following profiles:
- "Special Psychology";
- "Speech therapy";
- “Pedagogical and psychological support for children with disabilities”;
- "Oligophrenopedagogy".
To obtain more in-depth knowledge, many universities have created a master’s program in the field of “Special Defectology (Special) Education.” The following training programs are available:
- "Inclusive Education";
- “Pedagogical and psychological support for persons with disabilities”;
- “Speech therapy (education of persons with speech disorders)”;
- "Innovative technologies in defectological education."
Relevance of the specialty in the modern world
Universities, academies and institutes with a specialty in “Defectology education” invite students to study. Members of admissions committees and teachers talk about its relevance, because at present the problem of education for children with disabilities is quite acute. About 9-11% of the child population needs the help of special education teachers. Some adults also need help.
People who have completed their studies in the field of “Special Defectology Education” are engaged in the development, education and training of children with various developmental problems related to both the psychological and physical spheres. The areas of work of specialists are aimed at persons with acquired and congenital impairments of vision, hearing, pathologies, decreased intelligence, and psychoneurotic reactions.
Availability of necessary personal qualities
The field of training “Defectology education” is interesting, but it is not suitable for all people. When choosing this specialty, it should be taken into account that the defectologist must have certain personal qualities. This specialist must be:
- proactive;
- energetic;
- friendly;
- tactful;
- confident in the successful results of their activities and the applied correction program.
The future specialist must be optimistic. Optimism among already working people is manifested in a socially active attitude towards a subject with limited capabilities, towards the society into which the pupils will be included, and towards themselves.
Getting an education at RNU
Almost every city has a university that offers a specialization in “Special Defects Education.” There are several of them in Moscow. One of the educational institutions is the Russian New University (RNU). This is an autonomous non-profit educational organization that has existed since 1991.
“Defectological education” at the university also offers pedagogy. Upon admission, each applicant is given the opportunity to choose the most convenient form of study. Full-time classes are held 5 days a week. Pairs start at the university at 9 o'clock. On a part-time basis, students independently master the educational program. Classes at the university are held 2 times a year during sessions that last about 20 days.
Training at MPSU
Among the universities that train special education teachers, one can also cite the Moscow Psychological and Social University (MPSU) as an example. This educational organization is also an autonomous non-profit institution. The university has been operating since 1995.
The Moscow Psychological and Social University, previously called an institute, implements a huge number of modern educational programs. Among them there is “Defectology education” at the bachelor’s level. Full-time, part-time and part-time forms of study are offered. There are no master's programs for this area at the university.
Future of graduates
People who have completed their studies in “Special Defectology (Special) Education” at universities and received diplomas can work in various organizations:
- in educational institutions of all types and levels;
- in special (correctional) preschool, school and medical institutions;
- in centers providing psychological, medical, pedagogical and social assistance to the population;
- in social protection institutions;
- in charitable and public organizations working with people who have disabilities.
Graduates will face difficult work in the future. When working with a specific person, they will need to provide assistance not only to him, but also to his loved ones. Let's give an example. So, a special education teacher works with the child in accordance with the developed correctional program. Both he and his parents and close relatives need qualified help, because the family plays an important role in the process of correctional pedagogical influence. The essence of providing assistance to parents is counseling on issues of development, education, socialization and integration of the child into society. Thus, the work will be difficult, but at the same time interesting, so the specialty “Defectology (special) education” deserves attention.
At the moment, specialists in the field of pedagogy are again becoming in demand, and one of the most popular areas is defectology. What does a defectologist do? He does everything possible to prepare a child with lagging physical, speech, mental or intellectual development for school. Such children need adaptation in society, and often it is with the help of a defectologist that significant progress can be achieved.
Defectology, in turn, is divided into several other specialties: deaf pedagogy, oligophrenopedagogy, typhlopedagogy, speech therapy. Teachers of the deaf specialize in children with hearing impairments. oligophrenopedagogues teach children with mental retardation; typhlopedagogues specialize in children with visual impairments. Speech therapists work with all types of speech disorders and do not specialize in anything specific.
The profession of a defectologist, like any other, has its own specific pros and cons. It is worth considering them in more detail.
Pros of the profession
- Short work day– most speech pathologists working in budgetary institutions are released after just four hours, which makes it easy to combine several professional interests or devote more time to yourself and your family.
- Great vacation: defectologists can afford to rest almost the entire summer, because their vacation lasts as much as 56 days (this again applies to budgetary educational institutions).
- Social significance of the profession: teachers help children, even with the most severe disabilities, get back on their feet and become, if not full-fledged, then still an independent member of society.
- Huge space for self-realization: There are a great variety of different teaching methods that can be mastered through seminars and courses. Particularly creative people can even develop their own method and use it.
- Opportunity to conduct private practice: many parents are willing to pay a lot of money for individual lessons with their child. It is enough to gain a clientele, and then you can forget about financial troubles, because satisfied parents will definitely recommend a good specialist to their friends.
Cons of the profession
- Often you have to work with very difficult children; children with extremely severe disabilities need a defectologist. You need to be prepared for this, otherwise what you see may shock you.
- Unfortunately, in kindergartens the services of a speech therapist-defectologist not very well paid– the average salary ranges from 15,000 to 35,000. However, if you keep in mind the short working hours, this seems quite fair.
- The competition is quite big, because experienced specialists can remain so until a very old age, and young personnel need to try to find their place in the sun.
- Very often it turns out that classes have absolutely no effect. This can undermine professional self-confidence. You need to understand that all children are completely different, and what one person can do with ease, another may never learn. Of course, the task of the speech pathologist is to do everything possible so that the child can speak, read and write, but success can be achieved over the years.
What qualities should a defectologist have?
Each profession requires a certain set of personal qualities that its representative must possess. Below are a few tips that will help you become a truly excellent specialist and win the hearts of clients.
- Like any other teacher, a defectologist must love children with all his heart, feel and understand them. It is unlikely that without this anything will work out; the work will only be a burden.
- Stress resistance will help you not to despair in difficult situations and always look at things positively.
- When working with sick children, it is very important to have compassion and patience, because they are not at all to blame for their learning disabilities. On the other hand, such children are distinguished by their devotion and kindness. With an affectionate attitude, they most often respond in kind.
- Mindfulness is very important when working with children. A defectologist must find an approach to each child, find common ground with him, and learn as much as possible about his character and interests.
- Responsiveness is also important. The child must feel that he is important, that the teacher really cares about him and wants to help him, and is not just mechanically doing his job.
- Tactfulness when working with difficult children is simply necessary. Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to say something unnecessary, focus on the child’s physical disability or comment on his appearance. This can offend anyone, and for children with mental disorders, such behavior can be a big blow.
Where else can you work?
Despite all the disadvantages, this specialty is popular in pedagogical universities, which still indicates its demand. A young specialist will find a job in a kindergarten or correctional school in any case, but here are a few more employment options:
- It's not just children who have speech problems. People with diction disorders, survivors of strokes and other injuries can turn to a speech pathologist.
- With the education of a defectologist, you can also work as a nurse or nanny for children with disabilities.
- Many teachers take summer jobs as counselors at children's camps. This is a great opportunity to earn money without leaving your main job.
A defectologist is not the easiest or most problem-free profession, but it can become a true calling for those who love children, want to make the world a little better and are not afraid of difficulties. At the moment, more and more young people are choosing this particular specialty to study at the university, which is good news, because there are still many children with developmental disorders, and only defectologists can really help them.
There are a huge number of professions in the world aimed at helping people who evoke respect and deep gratitude: medical and social workers, teachers, rescuers, etc. However, none of them can compare in complexity and importance with the profession of a defectologist, whose representatives work with a special category of people - with abnormal children.
There are a huge number of professions in the world aimed at helping people who evoke respect and deep gratitude: medical and social workers, teachers, rescuers, etc. However, none of them can compare in complexity and importance with profession of defectologist, whose representatives work with a special category of people - with abnormal children.
It should be noted that the profession of a defectologist is unique in its own way, since it is at the intersection of several sciences: medicine, pedagogy, psychology, sociology, etc. It is these specialists who help children with mental development disorders socialize in society and give them a chance for a happy and fulfilling life in the future. And it is not surprising that increased demands are placed on those who dream of devoting their lives to this necessary and undoubtedly noble cause. After all, defectologists must not only understand that the fate of children with difficult fates depends on the quality of their work, but also be prepared for the difficulties that this profession poses. What are these difficulties? But we will try to talk about this in this article.
Who is a defectologist?
A highly qualified specialist who knows methods and means of adaptation, training and education of children with mental and/or physical disabilities. Defectologists are usually divided into two groups: those who study, teach and educate abnormal children, and those who specialize in correctional pedagogy.
The name of the profession comes from the Latin defectus (flaw) and the Greek λόγος (teaching). In other words, a defectologist basically studies deficiencies (origin, patterns and features) and develops methods for their correction. Defectology cannot boast of a centuries-old history, since for a long time children with disabilities were either destroyed or left alone with their problems.
And only at the beginning of the 20th century, as a result of the active development of medicine, experts realized that deviations in mental and physical development are not a death sentence. Such children can and should be treated. Doctors and scientists such as Philippe Pinel, Jean Itard, Ekaterina Gracheva, Lev Vygotsky, Louis Braille and many others made a great contribution to the development of defectology.
Over the years defectology has undergone significant changes: from a theoretical science studying the developmental features of abnormal children, it has grown into a practical teaching aimed at developing and implementing effective methods for correcting congenital or acquired deficiencies. In parallel with this, the profession of defectologist was divided into several narrow specializations, each of which deals with a specific area:
- speech pathologist - studies and tries to correct speech disorders and defects;
- defectologist-teacher of the deaf - deals with the training and education of children with hearing impairments;
- defectologist-typhlopedagogue - specializes in the education and training of children with visual impairments;
- speech pathologist-deaf teacher - works with deaf-blind children;
- defectologist-amblyologist - is a specialist in the field of adaptation and social rehabilitation of visually impaired and blind children;
- defectologist-oligophrenopedagogue - deals with the training, education and social rehabilitation of mentally retarded children.
Regardless of the area of activity responsibilities of a speech pathologist include: examination of the child, identification of violations, clarification of the circumstances of the occurrence and development of violations, prescribing and conducting correctional classes, measures aimed at adapting abnormal children to society, developing rehabilitation programs, carrying out measures to prevent certain violations, research activities, consulting services and etc.
What personal qualities should a defectologist have?
Despite the fact that a defectologist can work with both children and adults, the main emphasis of the specialist’s work is still aimed at correcting the development, raising and training the younger generation, which requires a special approach. Therefore, such a specialist must, first of all, have a penchant for working with children, patience and observation. In addition, perform your duties efficiently work as a speech pathologist It helps to have such personal qualities as:
And most importantly, the defectologist must see in children who do not fit into the generally accepted framework a full-fledged personality. Of the professional knowledge and skills necessary for a specialist to perform his work, extensive knowledge in the field of biology, psychology, special and age-related pedagogy, vocational guidance, sociology and jurisprudence deserve special attention. In addition, the defectologist must regularly monitor innovations and discoveries in his field, attend training courses and master classes, and strive for professional self-improvement.
Advantages of the profession of a defectologist
It’s not difficult to guess that the main advantage of the profession of a defectologist we can safely call it an opportunity to help problem children, for whom this specialist is perhaps the only chance for a full life full of positive events.
If we talk about more “earthly” advantages, then first of all it is necessary to note the demand for defectologists, who can easily get a job in their specialty both in medical institutions and psychological centers, and in preschool and school educational organizations. In this case, the defectologist can combine the work of a full-time employee with the provision of professional services privately. Naturally, this allows the specialist to receive quite a decent total income.
Taking into account the fact that the profession of defectologist is very rarely obtained, much less carried out professional activities, by “random” people, it can also be argued that the work gives the specialist pleasure. Moreover, he sees the result of his work with his own eyes.
Disadvantages of the profession of defectologist
Working with children, especially with abnormal children, is characterized by increased psycho-emotional stress, which can cause chronic fatigue and depression for a specialist. Seeing children suffer every day (and many children understand that they are different from their peers and suffer from this) is very difficult, and only true enthusiasts of their craft can withstand such stress.
Another significant disadvantage of the profession of defectologist is the meager official salary of a specialist working in government agencies. Unfortunately, judging by the size of the salary (and it is about 15-20 thousand rubles), the state shows its respect and interest in the work of a defectologist only in words, with which, as you know, “you will not be full.” Therefore, young professionals, before the appearance of private clients, should not count on solid incomes.
No matter how talented a defectologist is, the result of his work largely depends on the desire of the parents to help their child. After all, a specialist cannot work with a child throughout the day, so the bulk of the work falls on the shoulders of the child’s relatives and friends. And if parents do not diligently follow all the recommendations of the defectologist, then all the efforts of the specialist may be useless.
Where can you get a profession as a defectologist?
Medical University and professional retraining of doctors and nursing staff. Training takes place on a part-time basis using distance learning technologies, which allows you to combine study with work. The training program is based on relevant educational and professional standards.
As we mentioned above, defectology “stands” at the intersection of many sciences. However, the predominant direction is still pedagogy. Therefore, if you feel a calling and want become a defectologist, then you will have to turn your attention to pedagogical universities, on the basis of which the Department of Defectology operates. It should be noted that during the training process, students not only have to learn the basics of teaching and the features of working with disabled people, but also learn to provide the first necessary psychological and medical assistance in emergency situations. In other words, you will receive a pedagogical education with a medical focus.
The most common entrance exams:
- Russian language
- Mathematics (basic level)
- Biology - specialized subject, at the choice of the university
- Social studies - by choice of university
Entrance exams: Russian language and biology.
These are mandatory disciplines. The third exam can be mathematics or social studies (at the discretion of the university). It is recommended to check information about exam subjects with the admissions committee (administration office) of the educational institution in advance.
The specialty of defectology arose at the intersection of medicine, psychology and pedagogy. The accumulation of knowledge about man and his abilities objectively prepared the emergence of this relatively young discipline.
The importance of defectology and its role in the formation of the human personality has recently been rightly recognized by society, because a defectologist is called upon to reveal the unique potential of children with developmental disabilities and their maximum socialization.
About the specialty
The most common way to obtain this profession is to study at a pedagogical university at a specialized faculty. Today defectology has a number of independent specializations. The world is changing rapidly, and if earlier this specialty was a kind of offshoot of pedagogy and psychology, today defectology is a completely self-sufficient and respectable specialty. Moreover, Russian traditions in defectology have long been recognized by the scientific community in the West.
For example, a speech therapist works with speech disorders in children and adults, a teacher of the deaf teaches people with hearing impairments (absence), a typhlopedagogist deals with visual impairments, an oligophrenopedagogist conducts adaptation work with children with mental development disorders, etc.
Terms and forms of training
Training in the wisdom of defectology in a higher educational institution can be full-time or part-time (4 and 5 years, respectively). An accelerated training option is possible if the applicant has a higher or secondary specialized education.
Social significance of the profession
The goal of a defectologist’s work is to help a child with intellectual or psychophysical disabilities socialize as much as possible in society, reveal his potential abilities, and become familiar with the world around him and values.
A defectologist is at the same time a doctor, psychologist and teacher. Today this profession is in demand and respected.
While studying at a university, students master methods for diagnosing various diseases and disorders, gain knowledge in specialized disciplines, but most importantly, they learn responsibility, goodwill and perseverance. The main quality of a good speech pathologist is empathy, that is, the ability to empathize and understand the emotional state of another.
Sample program for a university course in defectology
During their studies, students gain knowledge in a number of highly specialized disciplines, for example:
- Psychology (including special);
- Pedagogy (including special);
- Jurisprudence;
- Fundamentals of family law and the rights of persons with disabilities;
- Psychopathology;
- Neuropathology;
- Speech therapy;
- Age-related anatomy, physiology and hygiene;
- Psychology of children with intellectual disabilities and many others.
Students also deeply study general university disciplines: philosophy, cultural studies, history, political science, sociology, economics, foreign languages, etc.
Professional and personal qualities of a trained defectologist
Using modern diagnostic techniques, the defectologist must be able to correctly determine the nature of the deviation or disease in the child. Based on a variety of data, a system of classes and procedures to correct existing developmental defects is built.
The moral and ideological qualities of a teacher-defectologist are very important. In addition to high intelligence, developed intuition and observation, he must be sociable, responsive, patient and emotionally stable.
Without constant professional development and analysis of the results of your work, you cannot become an intelligent specialist in defectology. And, of course, you need to have a penchant for pedagogy, for working with children, especially those who require increased attention.
Place of work and career opportunities
Professional speech pathologists are truly in demand in society today. First of all, they are engaged in the upbringing and education of people with developmental disabilities. A university graduate who has received a higher specialized education will be a desirable employee in various institutions of social protection, education and healthcare. The status of the teacher-defectologist has especially increased with the increased attention of the state to children with disabilities.
Working with people with various deviations in personal development is recognized as necessary and respected in modern society. Rehabilitation centers and boarding schools for children receive proper material and social status. There is a consistently high demand for the services of a professional defectologist in private kindergartens and schools, where wages are an order of magnitude higher than in the public sector. Those who consider defectology to be only an insignificant “appendage” of serious disciplines are mistaken due to ignorance.
People who have mastered the theory and practice of defectology well and achieve successful results in their work can easily be classified as a highly paid category of specialists. An experienced correctional teacher, as a rule, has a wide private practice. In this profession it is quite possible to realize oneself in a scientific capacity. The pursuit of science is gradually reviving its social recognition. The scope for research activities in this industry is quite wide.