THE THEMATIC PHOTOBOOK SYSTEM AS A MEANS OF DEVELOPING INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES AND PERSONALITY OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

The paper reveals the main principles of the Thematic Photobook System as a means of working with children having autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disability. Thematic Photobook System is based on the ideas of L.S. Vygotsky and activity theory of A.N. Leontiev and S.L. Rubinstein. The system is aimed at helping parents or mentors involve children into the joint targeted creative activity and thereby promote their development and personality formation. It assists establishing a contact with special children, developing their communicative skills, mastering applied skills, getting interested in activities and finding out and developing personality traits and abilities of a child.