Journal of Exceptional People

J. Except. People 2015, 4(2):41-58

Benefits and difficulties in educating of pupils with severe multiple disability and possibilities of professional support of their teachers

Jiří Kantor

Institute of Special Education Studies, Faculty of Education, Palacky University, Olomouc, 77140 Olomouc, Czech Republic

Educating of pupils with severe multiple disability brings specific benefits as well as difficulties for the teachers. These pupils are educated mainly in special schools in the Czech Republic and the classes often consist of several pupils with severe functional disability at once. The paper presents the outcomes of a qualitative study of this issue in Czech schools. The qualitative design was chosen because of the lack of theoretical background in this area of education. The sample consisted of 45 teachers and 4 students with severe physical, intellectual and communication disability. The main method of data collection included semi-structured interviews with teachers and observations of the educational process. Open coding and categorisation were used for data analysis. The outcomes of the study are discussed in the context of professional support provided to teachers. Various models of teacher support are discussed. Moreover, an association with the burnout syndrome is outlined. A scheme for further research is based on quantitative methodology.

Keywords: Multiple disability, education, supervision, Balint groups, burnout

Grants and funding:

The issue "Benefits and difficulties in educating pupils with severe multiple disability and possibilities of professional support of their teachers" has been researched as a part of a project IGA_PdF_2015_020 called "Non-traditional views on quality of life in people with specific needs".

Published: December 11, 2015  Show citation