Prešov: Prešov University Press, 2013, 103 pp., ISBN 978-80-555-842-9
Author Mgr. Jarmila Žolnová, PhD. she is an experienced expert in the field of etopedics, she works at the department of special pedagogy of the Pedagogical Faculty of the University of Prešov as a professional assistant.
Útla knizočka – University textbook "Fundamentals of pedagogy of the psychosocially disturbed" enriched the Slovak special pedagogic literature with a title that many experts in the field of caring for persons with psychosocial disturbances were waiting for. This university textbook fills a relatively poor etopedic library. In the text, the author brings basic historical-factual, methodological and interdisciplinary knowledge of the given special education field. The concept of this university textbook is clear, transparent, logical and objectively comprehensible, where the author uses a part of what a student should be able to master after studying it. It is mainly a professional text, in which the basic terms are also in English, it also briefly recapitulates the chapter and introduces tasks and topics for discussion. The concept of the text is divided into 6 chapters, which have their own professional and logical justification. When writing, the author used 156 bibliographic items, 12 legislative standards and 2 appendices. The first chapter "General foundations of the pedagogy of the psychosocially disturbed" shows the interconnection and ties within the field in this development process. The second chapter "Basic terms used in the pedagogy of the psychosocially undisturbed" looks at these trends in the context of the terminology of the field, the third chapter "care for individuals with psychosocial disturbances" is related to the development of educational processes of the school system in Slovakia since the 20th century. In the fourth chapter, "Complex approach to individuals with psychosocial disturbances", the author points to the current state of education of individuals with psychosocial disturbances in the segregated and inclusive school system. The title of the fifth chapter "Competences of a special pedagogue-etopedist" corresponds to its content, the author defined the trends of growing requirements for personal and professional qualities, skills and competences of experts from the practice of the field. The sixth chapter "System of schools and facilities for children and youth with psychosocial disturbances" informs about the current system of schools and school facilities for special pedagogical intervention and rehabilitation of children with psychosocial disturbances in the school system in Slovakia.
The university textbook is comprehensible for students and the professional public, it is very easy to read - I wouldn't say this, it is substantive and up-to-date within inclusive directions in pedagogy. However, the present time requires, in addition to a perfectly mastered theory, the connection of a professional text with practice, whether individual methodologies, examples of good practice or high-quality methodologically well-processed case studies, which in their content draw attention to causal facts also from the area of problems of other social science disciplines such as pedagogy, psychology, social work, medicine, law, which in its very essence presupposes the necessity of team cooperation of experts from other professions. I positively evaluate the multidisciplinary complex approach in the clear summarization of concepts, opinions, trends in connection with the education of children who need special pedagogical support in the context of psychosocial disturbance. For various reasons, the present time brings us more and more problem children who require a qualified team approach. Therefore, this university textbook, which is mainly intended for special pedagogues - etopedists, should be used by primary and secondary school teachers, but mainly in the preparation of future teachers. This publication would certainly be appreciated by social workers. This well-crafted publication could also be a stimulus for reflection for politicians and state administration employees to realize that their often incompetent decisions can degrade the long-term qualified work of experts who are trying to help children with psychosocial problems. A child does not know what family, society and era he is born into, but we create opportunities for him through the often unsuitable system, which can result in psychosocial disruption with negative consequences for himself, others and society. Presented university textbook Mgr. Zolnovaj, PhD, has the ambition to contribute to increasing the required competences of interested professionals who participate in the upbringing and education of children with different types of disabilities, and in this case, especially children with psychosocial disturbances.