SOCIO-CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF PERSONS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The article addresses the pressing issues of the socio-cultural adaptation of individuals with special educational needs (SEN) in the context of a transforming modern society. The purpose of the article is to provide a theoretical rationale and systematization of the psychological and pedagogical characteristics of adaptation in children with special educational needs. Special attention is given to the processes of socialization of these individuals within the framework of inclusive education. A detailed analysis is conducted on the key concepts of «socialization», «adaptation», and «socio-cultural integration», as well as an examination of the psychological mechanisms that facilitate the effective inclusion of children with SEN into a new social environment. The main challenges in interpersonal interactions, the formation of social bonds, and the development of communicative competencies, particularly in children with developmental disorders, are identified. Special emphasis is placed on the factors that complicate adaptation, such as stigmatization, the lack of adequate support, and the low level of inclusive culture among the surrounding environment.

The author systematizes modern scientific approaches to overcoming socio-adaptive barriers based on the analysis of research by Ukrainian and international experts in the fields of special pedagogy, psychology, and inclusive education. Effective psychological and pedagogical strategies for supporting children with SEN are proposed, including: individualization of the educational process, development of emotional intelligence, teaching socially acceptable behavior, and active involvement of parents and specialists in the adaptation process. The work emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, the creation of a safe and supportive educational environment, and the formation of skills of autonomy and self-realization in children with SEN for their full integration into society.