The article presents an analysis of socio-psychological approaches in the scientific study of the problems of children with disabilities. It describes the concepts of ”disability“, ”limited capacity“, ”mental retardation". National and foreign experience of theoretical and methodological study of the problems of people with disabilities is covered. On this problem, scientific works and literature on the subject, which are considered achievements of the science of sociology, were reviewed. The author analyzes the conceptual and practical basis of the models of disability, indicating that its social model corresponds to the social trends in modern society. The need to create an institutional system has been put forward in the scientific and practical study of the problems of people with disabilities.