SPECIAL PSYCHOLOGY IN INDEPENDENT UKRAINE: DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

In the article, the author tried to make a historical excursion regarding the development of special psychology in independent Ukraine. It is well-founded that over many years this branch of science was formed as a multi-disciplinary discipline, special psychology was an integral part of defectology, a complex science, the task of which was to study the causes and mechanisms of developmental disorders, develop scientifically based medical-psychological-pedagogical corrective effects on children, who had various disorders of psychophysical development, etc. It was analyzed that since the 90s, scientists who worked in special psychology were primarily engaged in studying the characteristics of various disorders in the development of children. During the period of development of independent Ukraine, the issue of education, development, and psychological support of persons with special needs is in the focus of constant attention. For many decades, the problem of finding effective strategies for the practical implementation of the theoretical and practical foundations of special psychology as a branch of science has been in numerous scientific and pedagogical discussions. The problematic field of development of special psychology at the current stage is analyzed. The scope of the subject content of special psychology during the period of independence of Ukraine is indicated, the main achievements and opportunities of the methodological basis of the development of special psychology are outlined.