Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment

Asymmetry of the Developing Brain, Structural Anomalies, and Genetic Variants in the Pathogenesis of Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy (uCP), a Common Neurological Symptom in Intellectual Disability, is Discussed in the form of a Narrative Overview

Peter Martin — 2025-09-17

Asymmetrical form and structural features of the brain can occur both as physiological hemispheric differences and as pathological left-right disparities. This review starts with findings on physiological brain development. It focuses primarily on non-physiological asymmetries between the left and right brain hemispheres and their impact on brain function, particularly motor functions. These are discussed in the context of cerebral palsy, specifically unilateral cerebral palsy, with a particular emphasis on genetic aspects. Pathogenic variants in specific genes can have diverse effects on structural brain development and, consequently, brain function. Several groups of genes must be distinguished based on their impact on the developing brain. These include variants in genes related to the coagulation system, angiogenesis, mitochondrial functions, and oxidative phosphorylation, which contribute to encephaloclastic lesions in the developing brain (e.g., periventricular or subcortical leukomalacia). These are distinct from gene variants that lead to disruptions in neuronal induction, proliferation, migration, aggregation, differentiation, and synaptic connectivity. Neurological symptoms, such as the development of spastic hemiparesis/cerebral palsy, can arise from genetically caused structural-functional disorders at both macroscopic (e.g., hemimegalencephaly) and microscopic levels (e.g., synaptic scaffolding). Additionally, disruptions in the structure and function of perineuronal networks must also be considered in this context.

The ultimate goal of this review is to describe and discuss the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of unilateral cerebral palsy in a differentiated manner, with a particular focus on molecular genetic aspects.

Experiences and Challenges of Implementing the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for Students with Learning and Intellectual Disabilities in Kuwait

Ohoud Nasser Alhajeri — 2025-09-17

This study explores the development and effectiveness of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in supporting students with special educational needs (SEN). Utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach, the research examines key factors influencing the implementation of IEPs, including teacher expertise, parental involvement, and institutional support. The study sample comprises special education teachers and school administrators, selected using a stratified sampling method to ensure diverse representation.

Findings indicate that while IEPs play a crucial role in enhancing student learning outcomes, challenges persist in adapting the curriculum, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, and assessing continuous progress. The study also reveals that teachers with specialized training in inclusive education demonstrate greater confidence in designing and executing IEPs, whereas limited parental engagement and administrative constraints hinder effective implementation.

The results underscore the need for comprehensive professional development programs, stronger family-school partnerships, and policy reforms to optimize IEP practices. These findings offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to improve inclusive education strategies and individualized instructional planning.

Parental Age and Gender: How they Influence Knowledge and Perceptions of Inclusive Education for Children with Intellectual Disability

Udeme Samuel Jacob — 2025-09-17

Background: This study investigated how parental age and gender influence their knowledge and perspectives of inclusive education for their children with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study is essential as it provides valuable insights into how parental factors, such as age and gender, can shape their knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward inclusive education, which will likely impact the educational experiences and outcomes for children with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: Employing a cross-sectional research design, the study surveyed 96 parents, consisting of 55 males (57.3%) and 41 females (42.7%). The participants were categorised by age: under 25 (n=20, 20.8%), 25-34 (n=24, 25.0%), 35-44 (n=28, 29.2%), and 45 and above (n=24, 25.0%). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, demonstrating a reliability coefficient of 0.88 (Cronbach's alpha). The data analysis used Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) to assess the main and interaction effects of parental age and gender on their knowledge regarding inclusive education.

Results: Tests of Between-Subject Effects indicated a significant interaction between age and gender, F (3, 88) = 5.67, p < 0.01, revealing that older female parents (M = 4.10) had higher knowledge scores than older male parents (M = 3.60). Estimated marginal means supported these findings, explicitly showing significant differences between parents aged 25-34 and 45 and above (p < 0.05). These differences are evident in pairwise comparisons, particularly in the 35–44-year-old age cohort (M = 3.95).

Conclusion: The results indicate that age and gender influence parental knowledge and perceptions of inclusive education. A targeted intervention considering these factors is crucial to enhancing supportive educational environments for children with ID.

Cognitive Profiles of Mexican Elementary Education Teachers on School Inclusion of Students with Disability

Patricia Bustos Ontiveros — 2025-09-17

This research investigated the attitudes of 99 elementary education teachers toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in schools. The present authors designed a factorial experiment with 2 (View on learning difficulties: static vs. interactionist) x 2 (Teacher approach: teaching vs. learning) x 2 (Social climate: homogeneous vs. heterogeneous) x 3 (Institutional culture: individualistic vs. delegation vs. collaborative). The orthogonal combination of these factors resulted in 24 experimental conditions ready to build the 24 experimental scenarios of this study. Each scenario described a hypothetical story about the thinking of teachers who faced a school inclusion situation. The experimental task for the participants was to read each scenario individually and then assess their level of identification with the protagonist. The results indicated two types of teacher profiles among the participants: the pre-inclusive profile, which showed a low level of identification towards the inclusive vision, and the inclusive profile, which presented a moderate level of school inclusiveness. The most relevant factors for making inclusive judgments in both groups were the diversity climate (h_p² = 0.24) and professional culture (h_p² = 0.13). However, the pre-inclusive group showed a greater affinity with school homogeneity and individual work. In contrast, the second group showed greater acceptance of diversity and collaboration in school inclusion. In this article, the present authors discuss the implications of these findings within the classroom.

Effect of School Based Cognitive behavioral Therapy on Multidimensional Level of Anxiety among Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hope Amba Neji — 2025-09-17

Introduction: Anxiety is a common issue faced by adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities, but there's still limited research on interventions designed specifically for them. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven effective for managing anxiety in the general population, we need to understand better how well it works for young people with intellectual disabilities.

Purpose/Objectives: This study set out to explore how effective school-based CBT is at reducing different types of anxiety in adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities. It also looked at whether gender and age play a role in how well the therapy works.

Methodology: We carried out a pretest-posttest randomized controlled trialstudy with 150 adolescents randomly placed into either a CBT treatment group or a control group. The anxiety measurement tool was carefully adapted to fit the cultural context and tested to ensure it was reliable. We analyzed the results using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA), while accounting for anxiety levels before treatment.

Results: The findings showed that CBT significantly eased symptoms across five types of anxiety: separation anxiety, social phobia, generalized anxiety, panic anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The therapy worked equally well for both boys and girls. Most age groups responded similarly, but there was a notable difference in how separation anxiety improved, suggesting that a young person's developmental stage may affect their response to CBT.

Conclusion/Implications: These results reinforce that cognitive-behavioral therapy can be effective for adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities. They also highlight the importance of adjusting therapy to fit different developmental stages. Overall, the study encourages incorporating CBT into school mental health programs with tailored support to best meet the needs of this vulnerable group, ensuring that treatment is both practical and fair for all.

The Role of Psychological and Pedagogical Training of Educators in Establishing Effective Communication with Veterans with Intellectual Disabilities

Diana Sabol — 2025-09-17

The psychological and pedagogical training of teachers to interact with veterans with signs of intellectual disabilities was identified as a critical factor in post-war social integration. The study aimed to assess the influence of educator preparedness on the quality of communication with veterans in adaptive educational settings.

A mixed-methods approach was applied, including surveys, content analysis, pedagogical observations, and correlation analysis. The findings indicated a mismatch between the self-assessed readiness of teachers and veterans' perception of their interactions.

A positive relationship was established between educator preparedness and the satisfaction level of veterans. The study contributed to the understanding of how targeted professional training may enhance communication outcomes in education involving vulnerable adult learners.

Conclusions pointed to the need for modular training programs tailored to the specific needs of learners with post-traumatic cognitive features.

Poetry Therapy, Disability, and Trauma Expression: A Therapeutic-Phenomenological Perspective

Anas Ahmadi — 2025-09-17

This study aims to explore how individuals with disabilities express traumatic experiences through literary works from a therapeutic-phenomenological perspective. The research employs a qualitative-phenomenological method, with data collected from 45 literary works written by individuals with disabilities. The therapeutic process involved filtering, handling, and follow-up stages, involving 45 participants with disabilities. Data analysis was conducted through identification, classification, reduction, and exposition. The findings revealed varied themes: social criticism (35.5%), absurdism (17.7%), religion (13.3%), romanticism (4.4%), feminism (2.2%), and other themes (26.6%). Social criticism was the most dominant theme, followed by absurdism, religion, romanticism, feminism, and others. These works not only reflect emotional expression but also serve as a medium for critiquing discrimination and injustice experienced in society. The trauma expressed is primarily relational, such as social rejection and bullying, beyond just physical limitations. This study confirms that literary works are a vital means for individuals with disabilities to authentically voice their experiences and symbolically resist non-inclusive social systems. These findings aim to enrich interdisciplinary studies in literature, psychology, therapy, and disability studies.