O cuidado à criança com deficiência: estudo com educadores infantis de instituições públicas municipais

Abstract

The present study deals with the care of children with disabilities in municipal institutions of child education, it aims to understand the care of children with disabilities in the school environment under the vision of early childhood educators. This is a descriptive and exploratory study with qualitative approach. The study participants were 14 infant educators from public institutions in Alfenas - MG. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews from March to April of 2013. It was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UNIFAL-MG with the report number 213 835. For data analysis we used the Content Analysis, Thematic Analysis method proposed by Bardin. After the analysis of the data three categories were revealed: the care of children with disabilities - interface with family and specialized professionals; structure and weakening of care; the care and supervision of children with disabilities in the school environment. The results showed that the participation of the family in conjunction with the school enables children educators develop their roles with greater independence in performing activities of the school context that demands care. It was observed the need for specialized professionals working together with the school as facilitators and multipliers of knowledge regarding the care of children with disabilities. In some schools, great efforts have been noted to promote a qualified care to students through strategies such as adequacy of physical facilities, training of active professionals in the school environment, inclusion of health professionals. There are educational institutions, in which it was not noticeable adaptation or even encouraging training to professionals. It can be seen that there is a concern regarding the monitoring of children with disabilities and, at some moments, this is intensified. Despite existing concerns about surveillance, the care developed seems to be similar to that provided to others. It is believed that this study can contribute to a new vision on the care of children with disabilities in institutions of child education in regular education. Moreover, it can support reflections on caring practices in early childhood education professionals in education and health that serve this population.