Yakovleva S.D. Psychological support for children with disordered psychological-physical development (the neurophysiologic approach).

Information about the author: Svitlana Dmytrivna Yakovleva, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, PhD in Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department, of Correctional Education of the Kherson State University, Ukraine. Areas of scientific interests: psychological-physiological diagnostics, psychological support and correction of higher mental functions of children with psychological-physical disorders of various nosological entities.

The article discusses issues of the primary diagnostic step – psychological-physiological diagnostics of the higher mental functions – at psychological support of children with developmental disorders of various nosological entities. The theoretical approaches showing the necessity to perform firstly a child’s neuropsychological diagnostics are given; such diagnostics should take into account functional reserves of the child’s body, his/her psychological-physiological processes and preservation of other organ functioning with the involvement of “dormant functions”. The article proves that a cognitive lag led to changes in emotional manifestations and behaviour of children from all nosological groups, and especially children with weak nervous system. Children’s adaptation during their mental development takes place step-by-step, and the capability of arbitrary regulation of mental processes depends on maturity of certain functional brain systems associated with the left frontal lobe of the cerebral hemispheres as a programming unit. The learning ability is manifested in formation of temporary links in the brain, so information can be accumulated and stored and all body systems are managed. The corrective work should involve all psychological, neurophysiologic and physical developmental factors. A child with developmental disorders can enter to adaptation step-by-step, according to maturity of his/her brain systems. The modern correctional pedagogy and psychology considers correction as a complex functional work. Any psychic function is based on neurophysiologic functional systems that act as a mediator of influence on the mental system, so development of abilities formed during different activities depends on nervous processes. Application of the primary psychological-physiological step at diagnostics takes into account individual characteristics of children with mental disorders with the purpose of further corrective influence. This will help create adequate corrective programs for the continuous and consistent development of psychological-physiological functions, mental processes and personal traits during educational activities.

Key words: children disordered psychophysical development, functional state, cognitive sphere, neurophysiological diagnostics, differentiated brain system.