This thesis has investigative and empirical character. It combines an attempt to create a theoretical system (a new subdiscipline of special pedagogy) with an attempt to gain arguments by means of empirical investigation. It begins with theoretical part which presents historical and pedagogical overview of the issue by defining reference field, target groups, tasks, basic terminology and the whole system of special pedagogy of an early age. An early age care as a theoretical subsystem included in comprehensive and integrative special pedagogy in the system of social and rehabilitation, and special pedagogical services forms a specific part of my thesis. The theoretical part has a character of metatheory because at an early age the beginnings of education, care and support are given according to the theory of comprehensive special pedagogy (Jesenský 2000) or integrative special pedagogy (Vítková 2003). By this the possibility of application into the pedagogy of individual physical and mental handicaps and the possibility of education development in other age groups are open. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)