Abstract

LEITE, Gabriela Almeida  and  MONTEIRO, Maria Inês Bacellar. A construção da identidade de sujeitos deficientes no grupo terapêutico-fonoaudiológico. Rev. bras. educ. espec. [online]. 2008, vol.14, n.02, pp.189-200. ISSN 1413-6538.

In this study, we consider the personality of our subjects as being shaped by means of their actions being interpreted by others. This happens via the internalization of roles. These roles are defined, in the first instance, by those persons who provide the most concrete reference points for the child, in particular their family, and beyond that by the wider social group to which they belong. Our objective was to reflect upon the formation of the personal identity of mentally disabled young people who were receiving speech therapy, this therapy being conducted in a group context. Transcripts of the language used by the subjects in constructing their self image were analyzed. This study was based upon the results obtained from previous research, conducted with groups of siblings of subjects classified as mentally disabled. These results revealed a negative image held by those siblings of their disabled brother or sister. The material analyzed is part of a data bank of videotapes, of disabled youngsters receiving group speech therapy in a school clinic setting, taken over a two year period. This data was transcribed and analyzed according to the guidelines of micro genetic analysis, taking into consideration minute details of interviews and in particular details and clips of interactive episodes. The examination of the data was directed towards the actions of the subjects of the study, their interpersonal relations and the social context in which these took place. The analysis conducted in this study aims to establish a relationship between the images these subjects have of themselves and the image put across by the social group to which they belong. The results demonstrated the resonance of the discourse of the social group in the verbalizations of the subjects. We conclude that to transform the image that the subjects with intellectual disability have of themselves it is necessary to direct actions to those who are close to them, namely family, friends, colleagues and their social group in general.

Keywords : Formation of Subjectivity; Mental Disability; Groups of Young People; Special Education.