Occupational Therapy Intervention in Correctional Work with Children with Severe and Multiple Developmental Disabilities (SMDD): Scientific, Methodological and Practical Aspects

Аннотация

The article is devoted to the analysis of occupational therapy intervention in the system of correctional care for children with severe and multiple developmental disabilities. The key scientific and theoretical approaches to understanding occupational therapy as a method of increasing the level of autonomy, as well as its role in the system of interdisciplinary support, are considered. The results of an applied study confirming the effectiveness of targeted sensorimotor activity in correcting cognitive and behavioral manifestations of SMDD are presented. The necessity of introducing occupational therapy into the system of special and inclusive education in Uzbekistan is substantiated. The author summarizes international practices and formulates recommendations for the training of specialists and standardization of occupational therapy programs. Keywords: Occupational therapy, severe and multiple developmental disorders, correctional and developmental intervention, sensorimotor development, habilitation, inclusion. context of the Uzbek correctional and educational Introduction: The modern paradigm of education and system. social policy is aimed at ensuring equal opportunities and quality support for all categories of children, Theoretical and methodological foundations of including those with severe and multiple occupational therapy developmental disabilities. In the context of a rapid Occupational therapy is a field of activity based on the increase in the number of children with severe forms of use of meaningful and significant actions (activities) central nervous system disorders, motor, sensory and aimed at restoring or developing human functional cognitive deficits, there is a need to rethink the capabilities. According to the definition of the World approaches and tools used. One of the most promising Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), the goal and scientifically sound methods integrating medical, of occupational therapy is to ensure a person’s pedagogical and social approaches is occupational participation in everyday life, taking into account his or therapy. her capabilities, needs and environmental conditions. The particular significance of this study is due to the Basic principles: fact that in the Republic of Uzbekistan, occupational • Significance of action: any activity that has personal therapy has not yet received institutional recognition, value for the client can be therapeutic. despite its proven effectiveness in many countries around the world. The work presented in the article is • Goal setting: therapy is built taking into account aimed at filling this gap and demonstrating the specific tasks arising from the client’s needs and life potential of occupational therapy strategies in the context. International Journal of Pedagogics 238 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijp International Journal of Pedagogics (ISSN: 2771-2281) • Adaptation of the environment: the occupational Before the intervention: therapist strives not only to develop abilities, but also • inability to hold objects - in 90%; to transform the environment to suit the client’s • complete lack of initiative — in 80%; capabilities. • severe motor limitations — in all participants; • Interdisciplinarity: occupational therapy is implemented in a team with other specialists • underdeveloped visual-motor coordination; (psychologists, defectologists, speech therapists, • lack of productive play. doctors, parents). After the intervention: The methodology is based on the concepts of • increase in the time spent holding objects by 2–3 functional systems development (Luria), sensory times; integration (Ayres), neuroplasticity, learning theory • appearance of directed movements — in 70% of and behaviorism. children; Characteristics of severe and multiple developmental • improvement of emotional response, reduction of disorders anxiety; SMDDs are a combination of two or more persistent • increase in the number of episodes of involvement in disorders in the structure and functions of the body, joint activities. including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing, vision, speech and behavioral disorders. Such disorders The analysis of the dynamics demonstrated that even have an organic genesis and lead to significant with severe mental retardation, it is possible to develop limitations in everyday activities, self-care and basic skills that underlie functional independence. communication. The complexity of the defect structure