SOCIALIZATION OF A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Abstract

In the modern world the problem of children inclusion has become very acute. Possibility to communicate is in high demand among children with special needs. Speech barriers can easily be overcome by using social networks and various chat rooms for communication. With virtual communication, shyness and avoidance of communication are reduced for both normal children and children with special needs. The objective of this study is to reveal positive tendency in communication on the Internet among children with special needs. The method of the study is the questionnaire which has been elaborated and adapted for the respondents. The respondents are  teenagers with special needs aged from  to . Main results show that  respondents out of  have not changed their views on communication with their peers. Other  respondents have felt that shyness in communication has been reduced. The remaining  people have had positive interaction experience. They are willing to continue communication in social networks and have found online pen pals. Conclusion. The study has showed that social networking and messaging have a positive impact on the attitude of adolescents with special needs towards communication. Many children with special needs have speech spectrum disorders and have diffi culties in starting informal communication with peers because of shyness and increased time of this communication. However, in virtual communication, these barriers are signifi cantly reduced, the quality of social life, confi dence, overall psychological state are improved. In addition, it is important that respondents “on the other side of the screen” (normal teenagers) have been willing to make contact, showed interest (which might not have happened in everyday life) even if they never had prior communication with people with special needs. Therefore, virtual communication is effective as a way of establishing informal communication for children with special needs.