People with Physical and Multiple Disabilities (Somatopedagogy)

Somatopedagogy is a specialization of Special Needs Education dealing with the development, therapy, education and social integration of persons with physical/motor disabilities and/or multiple disabilities at every age-level. Somatopedagogy incorporates movement education, support of communication and development of the cognitive functions in people with disabilities into a complex educational programme /learning process.

Based on the general training of Special Needs Education in human-biological, medical, pedagogical, art, psychological and social disciplines, students will have several theoretical and practical subject to gain the somatopedagogic competences.

The students will acquire knowledge in

the structure, function and dysfunction of the movement/motor system, physiological movement, movement testing procedures, examination and assessment methods and equipment
aetiology, epidemiology, biography, status, psychological background of physical/motor and/or multiple disability
the scientific and methodological theories underlying the development of individuals with physical/motor and/or multiple disability
educational, training, developmental and rehabilitation goals, contents, processes; planning
rehabilitation and technical aids, info-communication technologies (ICT), assistive technology (AT), environmental adaptation
associated speech and communication disorders, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
special education for people with profound and multiple disabilities (PMD, PMLD)
physical education, adapted physical education, sport and recreation for people with any type of disabilities, disorders
the health, social and educational institutions and settings for somatopedagogic rehabilitation and their activities
the approach and core competences of the co-professions involved in the rehabilitation of people with physical/motor and/or multiple disability
cooperation, division of tasks
national and international literature on somatopedagogy, related co-disciplines and disability.

The students will master the following professional skills

functional testing, differential diagnostics (physiological and pathological), process diagnostics, documentation
somatopedagogic education, training, development, rehabilitation goals, contents, processes, rehabilitation plan
adaptive application of knowledge, selection and synthesis of methods, corrective exercises, physical education, adapted physical education, sport and recreation
support for autonomy; activity analysis, optimal tools to support quality of life; communication, augmentative and alternative communication support
education - training - development - rehabilitation in the following settings: early childhood intervention, inclusive or special pre-school education, inclusive or special school education, secondary education and vocational training,
general and specific rehabilitation tasks in the health, social and public education systems to support adults with physical/motor and/or multiple disability
cooperation in teams, sub-tasks of scientific investigation and research.