Pachomova N., Hubar O., Kovalenko V., Baranets I. - Formation of spatial orientation in children with cerebral disorders

Contact: PAKHOMOVA Nataliya, doctor of pedagogical sciences, professor, head of the Department of the special department of special and inclusive education of the Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University, Poltava, Ukraine. In the field of scientific interests: speech preparation of preschoolers with disorders of psychophysical development before studying at school and integrative medical-psychologicalpedagogical training of specialists to work in the conditions of inclusion.

HUBAR Olha, PhD of pedagogical Sciences associate professor of the Department of the special department of special and inclusive education of the Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University, Poltava, Ukraine. In the field of scientific interests: the problem of developing corrective assistance for children with special needs in the conditions of inclusive education, features of overcoming speech disorders of adults and adolescents, training of special education specialists in the conditions of secondary education.

КOVALENKO Victor, PhD of medical Sciences associate professor of the Department of the special department of special and inclusive education of the Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University, Poltava, Ukraine. In the circle of scientific interests: medico-biological bases of corrective work in organic and functional developmental disorders;

BARANETS Inna, PhD of pedagogical Sciences associate professor of the Department of the special department of special and inclusive education of the Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University, Poltava, Ukraine. In the circle of scientific interests: the formation of communicative activity of children of early and preschool age with disorders of psychophysical development.

Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) experience significant challenges in developing spatial representations, the ability to mentally picture and understand the relationships between objects and oneself in space. This impairment significantly hinders their ability to learn, navigate their daily environment, and develop social skills. Existing methods for improving spatial orientation in children with CP often overlook the unique psychophysical characteristics associated with this condition.
This study addresses this gap by proposing a comprehensive approach that incorporates physical education (PE) and mental fitness components  specifically tailored for children with CP. The PE activities target motor skills and body awareness, while the mental fitness component utilizes exercises designed to stimulate cognitive functions related to spatial reasoning. This combined approach aims to address both the physical limitations and cognitive challenges faced by children with CP, ultimately promoting the development of spatial representations.
The study involved a group of children with CP who participated in a specifically designed PE and mental fitness intervention program. Their progress in developing spatial representation skills was compared to a control group who did not receive the intervention. The results demonstrated significant improvements in spatial representation skills among the children who participated in the PE and mental fitness intervention program compared to the control group. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the proposed comprehensive approach in promoting spatial representation development in children with CP.  This study holds significant implications for developing effective interventions for children with CP. The proposed approach provides a promising framework that can be implemented to enhance spatial representation skills in this population. Improved spatial understanding can lead to better learning outcomes, increased independence in daily activities, and improved social participation for children with CP. Further research can explore the long-term effects of this intervention and investigate the optimal intensity and duration of the program for maximizing benefits. Additionally, studies could examine the effectiveness of the program in different age groups and with varying severities of CP.

Key words: spatial representations, spatial orientation, children with cerebral disorders, corrective process.