Classification of intellectual disability according to domains of adaptive functioning and between-domains discrepancy in adults with epilepsy

Informal social support for families with children with an intellectual disability in Karachi, Pakistan: A qualitative exploratory study design

Background

Intellectual disability (ID) is a developmental disorder that causes considerably below-average intellectual performance and adaptive behaviour. In the context of the present study, families raising a child with ID are reported to experience multiple challenges that appear not to be well documented in Pakistan.

Methods and procedures

Pakistan, which was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, followed participatory action research, in which the researcher and participants examined their existing experiences of informal social support and then created, implemented, and evaluated actions to strengthen this informal social support. A total of five families (n = 25) participated in the study. These participating families comprise parents, siblings, and significant others, i.e., aunts, uncles, and grandparents, living with the child with ID. Families with children with ID were selected through a school for children with ID who are under 12 years old. This qualitative action research was conducted in two distinct parts, i.e., a) exploratory part and b) action part. This paper presents the findings of the first exploratory part of the study.

Aim

The exploratory phase aimed to explore and examine the experiences and challenges families may experience with informal social support while caring for a child with an intellectual disability in Karachi, Pakistan.

Findings

Parents often sacrifice their personal needs and aspirations for their children, leading to decreased tolerance and anxiety. Lack of communication, support, and assistance from family members is another significant issue. Stigmatisation and discrimination from school, relatives, and friends can cause depression and distress. The study emphasises the need for a unified and coordinated approach to support and care. Religious beliefs, siblings, and close friends provide comfort and well-being. When parents manage to connect with similar families, they have the opportunity to express a collective commitment to caregiving.

Conclusion

To strengthen the situation, families propose enhancing intimacy and competency within homes and taking action at the governmental level. Governments must provide appropriate services, such as nurses supporting families, support groups, and religious traditions, to promote acceptance and holistic development for intellectually disabled children.

Developmental Functioning of Infants and Toddlers with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

PURPOSE

The current study aimed to investigate developmental functioning in infants and toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), seizures, cerebral palsy (CP), and atypical development.

METHODS

An ANOVA was utilized to investigate the differences between neurodevelopmental group on BDI-2 developmental quotient and a MANOVA was used to investigate the differences between the groups and five developmental domains.

RESULTS

The results indicated statistically significant differences in overall developmental functioning and each subdomain of the BDI-2.

DISCUSSION

These findings provide the basis for further research to investigate comorbidities of the three neurodevelopmental disorders and parse out the impact of intellectual disability (ID).

Intellectual Disability Profiles, Quality of Life and Maladaptive Behavior in Deaf Adults: An Exploratory Study

Individuals who are prelingually deaf and have intellectual disabilities experience great challenges in their language, cognitive and social development, leading to heterogeneous profiles of intellectual and adaptive functioning. The present study describes these profiles, paying particular attention to domain discrepancies, and explores their associations with quality of life and maladaptive behavior. Twenty-nine adults with prelingual deafness (31% female) and mild intellectual functioning deficits (mean IQ = 67.3, SD = 6.5) were administered the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (VABS-II) and an adapted sign language version of a quality of life scale (EUROHIS-QOL 8). Intellectual disability domain discrepancies were characterized as at least one standard deviation difference between the social domain and IQ and the practical domain and IQ, and a significant difference, according to the VABS-II manual, between the social and practical domains. Domain discrepancies were found between intellectual functioning and both the practical (58.6%) and social domain (65.5%). A discrepancy between intellectual and social functioning was significantly associated with a higher level of internalizing maladaptive behavior (T = 1.89, p < 0.05). The heterogeneous profiles highlight the importance of comprehensive assessments for adequate service provision.