Use of Ergotherapy Elements in the Development of Social Competencies of Practical School Pupils

Abstract

The paper analyses the possibilities of using ergotherapy elements in the development of social competencies of pupils with mental disabilities in practical school, as part of vocational-practical and elective subjects. In its conception, ergotherapy offers many innovative approaches, methods and work techniques that can be used in a practical school in the development of pupils ‘social competencies and their socialization. The aim of the paper is to verify the possibilities of using ergotherapy elements, their effectiveness and suitability in the development of social competencies of pupils with mental disabilities in practical school.  This paper informs about its real contribution to the education of students with mental disabilities and about its use in special educational practice. Several methods have been used in the research. The main research method was the experiment. The research confirmed the hypo­thesis of a positive contribution of the use ofergotherapy elements in the development of social competencies of pupils with mental disabilities in practical school.