HISTORY OF UKRAINIAN SPEECH THERAPY IN PERSONALITIES: LILIA OLEKSANDRIVNA SMYRNOVA

Abstract

The article presents a systematic analysis of the life and scholarly-pedagogical path of Liliia Oleksandrivna Smyrnova — one of the leading figures in Ukrainian speech therapy of the second half of the 20th century. Based on archival sources, colleagues’ recollections, and scientific publications, the study reconstructs for the first time the biographical and professional trajectory of the scholar, identifying the main stages of her activity — from practical work in a school for children with speech disorders to many years of teaching at the Kyiv M. Gorky State Pedagogical Institute. The contribution of Liliia Smirnova to the development of speech therapy methods is revealed, particularly in the fields of speech disorder diagnostics, improvement of teaching forms and tools for children with intellectual disabilities, and the creation of practical materials for speech therapists. Special attention is given to her co-authored manual with Maria Savchenko, “Correction of Speech Defects in Primary School Pupils” (1969), which became the first systematized Ukrainian-language methodological publication in the field of speech therapy and had a significant influence on the formation of the national school of speech therapy education. The article highlights Smirnova’s pedagogical and personal traits — her high professionalism, humanity, intuition, and creative approach to working with children. The authors substantiate the scientific and historical-pedagogical significance of studying Liliia Smyrnova’s legacy for modern special education and outline directions for further research focused on analyzing her scientific works and methodological ideas that remain relevant for speech therapist training today.