Definições dos termos deficiência múltipla e deficiência múltipla sensorial: uma revisão sistemática em teses e dissertações brasileiras

Multiple disability (DMu) has been treated as a frame of complex definition and characterization. This type of disability, however, has been little studied in Brazil, especially in the educational field. The objectives of this study were to describe and analyze the definitions of the terms DMu and multiple sensory disability (DMS) in Brazilian theses and dissertations. A systematic review was performed in the database of the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD) in the time frame from 1999 to 2018. Once the scientific production was defined, a thematic content analysis of the definitions of the terms adopted in the academic works was performed. The results showed that there is a limited production (n = 18) of theses and dissertations on this theme in the Brazilian context, with more dissertations (n = 12) than theses (n = 6). The adoption of different concepts for the terms DMu and DMS, producing conceptual fluctuations over time. It was also noted that the definition of DMu varies between two aspects: the number of manifestations of conditions and the quality of individual functioning. It was also possible to realize that DMS is a subtype of condition in DMu that encompasses visual or hearing impairments associated with other conditions. It is concluded that this theme has been little addressed by researchers of Special Education and that there is a need to share a common definition to allow advances in research on the theme in Brazil. Finally, it is suggested that this type of disability, from the presented scenario, be more contemplated, especially in research in the area of Special Education. A deficiência múltipla (DMu) vem sendo tratada como um quadro complexo de definição e caracterização. Esse tipo de deficiência tem sido pouco estudado no Brasil, principalmente no âmbito educacional. Os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever e analisar as definições dos termos DMu e deficiência múltipla sensorial (DMS) em teses e dissertações brasileiras. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática na base de dados da Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD), no recorte temporal de 1999 a 2018. Foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo temática das definições dos termos adotados nos trabalhos acadêmicos. Os resultados demonstraram que há uma produção exígua (n=18) de teses e dissertações sobre essa temática no contexto brasileiro, sendo maior a quantidade de dissertações (n=12) do que de teses (n=6). Além disso, observou-se a adoção