Special needs education construction from the didactic area: Profile of an academic debate

Abstract

Special Needs Education is very often academically situated within the Didactic area. This would not be problematic if it were not for the fact that Special Needs Education is sometimes classified in other areas as well (for instance in the area of Research of Methods and Educational Assessment). In addition, in order to further clarify, we must point out the differences and contradictions in the characterisation of it status, development and relationship with the Didactic area. We will analyse in this article the academic debate which arisen in relation to situation and relationship of Special Needs Education with respect to the Didactic area. Points of conflict and inflexion will be reviewed. The articles conclude with a discussion of the way in which this debate leads to the recognition of Special Needs Education as a developing discipline occupying its own place within the Didactic area.