System development of socio-pedagogical rehabilitation for children with developmental disabilities in Donbass (1950s–1980s)

Importance. The historical experience of establishing a system of socio-pedagogical rehabilitation for children with developmental disabilities in industrial regions of the USSR, particularly in Donbass, remains understudied. This gap limits understanding of the regional specifics of the Soviet assistance model and hinders effective post-conflict programs’ development. The purpose of the study is to identify institutional and substantive features of the rehabilitation system for children with disabilities in Donbass during the 1950s–1980s. Materials and Methods. The following approaches are employed: analysis of archival materials from the Central State Archive of Public Associations of the Luhansk People’s Republic and the State Archive of the Donetsk People’s Republic; historical-systemic approach to studying the interconnections between economic development and social policy; comparative analysis of data. Results and Discussion. Three stages of system development are established: 1. Institutionalization (1950s–1960s). Creation of a network of residential institutions under industrial enterprises (‘patronage system”), special schools for children with sensory impairments (shortage of placements for children with intellectual disabilities), reorganization of pedagogical colleges (15 institutions by 1954). 2. Systematization (1960s–1970s). Expansion of neuropsychiatric dispensaries (with predominance of medical approaches), introduction of vocational guidance groups in vocational schools, persistent staffing shortages (1 special education teacher per 120 children in rural areas). 3. Systemic contradictions (1970s–1980s). Dominance of the institutional model (isolation of 78 % of children), formalization of reporting, absence of early intervention (diagnosis after age 7 for 92 % of children). Conclusion. Key contradictions were identified between declared inclusion principles and the practice of institutional isolation. Regional specificity was determined by industrial logistics (“enterprise patronage”) and consequences of wartime devastation. Historical experience reveals risks including staffing deficits, resource limitations, and lack of family-centered practices. The research findings are relevant for developing modern rehabilitation programs in Donbass, requiring consideration of regional context and minimization of stigmatizing approaches.