The manual, based on the achievements of modern special pedagogy and psychology, reveals the features of constructing the educational process in special (correctional) educational institutions of the VIII type. The manual is addressed to students of defectology faculties and orients them towards the proactive, reflective and creative nature of mastering pedagogical knowledge based on traditional sources .The materials of the manual will be useful to teachers and educators of special (correctional) educational institutions of the VIII type, employees of centers for psychological and pedagogical correction and rehabilitation, employees of institutions of the social protection system, parents of children with intellectual disabilities.