CRITERIA AND INDICATORS OF SPEECH THERAPISTS’ PREPAREDNESS FOR WORKING WITH DIVERSE GROUPS OF CHILDREN

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive investigation into speech therapists’ preparedness for working with diverse groups of students in the context of inclusive education. The authors meticulously analyze a range of factors influencing the effectiveness of pedagogical interaction in this context. Specifically, the article examines the definitions of “heterogeneity” and “heterogeneous group in school”, providing a crucial foundation for further research. A distinct focus is placed on the structure of a speech therapist’s preparedness for working with heterogeneous groups, encompassing eight key components. These include theoretical training, pedagogical methods and techniques, language aspects, psychological readiness, communication skills, technologies and innovations, collaboration with other professionals, and personal development. Each of these components delineates crucial aspects of a speech therapist’s readiness to work in an inclusive environment. The study identifies three levels of preparedness among speech therapists for pedagogical interaction with heterogeneous groups of students – low, medium, and high. To assess these levels, four criteria are utilized: motivational, informational-cognitive, personal, and analytical. This approach allows for a detailed determination of each speech therapist’s readiness to work in heterogeneous groups and reveals the nuances of their professional competence. An additional aspect of the study addresses external and internal factors influencing the preparedness of speech therapists. External factors encompass educational system reforms, creating conditions for an inclusive paradigm and enhancing societal demand for professionals capable of effective work in inclusive settings. Internal factors pertain to the professional and personal qualities of future educators, such as tolerance, empathy, stress resistance, emotional flexibility, reflexivity, pedagogical mastery, creativity, and more. These qualities define a speech therapist’s successful performance in a heterogeneous environment.