Praxis functioning in individuals with intellectual disabilities: Implications for health carers

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Sara Isabel Alves Pinto

University Institute of Maia, Portugal

: J Nurs Patient Care

Abstract

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Praxis functioning has been poorly studied in the population with intellectual disabilities (ID). The goal of the present research was to look for a starting point to study the praxis functioning in young adults with mild to moderate ID. Thirty participants, between the ages of 18 and 35 years, completed tests that assessed gestural praxis. It was possible to observe similar praxis behaviour in the group with ID in almost domains studied (i.e. performance under verbal command and by imitation; execution of pantomimes, simulation of the tool use and transitive gestures-real use of the object), albeit showing statistical values lower than those of the group without ID. The sample of participants with ID does not seem to show an apraxia behaviour because they were able to reach the goal of praxis tasks performed, despite the high number of space and time errors committed. These errors may be associated with a deficit in the development of various brain functions and not only with praxis functioning, mainly relate to a lower yield in terms of planning, monitoring and correcting intentional movement. Learning a new gesture can provide support to improve communication in individuals with ID. Our results indicate that we should consider a possible change in the direct path or direct path of imitation, often used in the process of teaching and learning in individuals with ID.

Biography

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Sara Isabel Alves Pinto has completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University Institute of Maia, Portugal. Her Academic and Research interests include praxis functioning, rehabilitation of human movement, executive functioning. In 2016 she has published the paper “Gestural praxis in young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities” at the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, searching for an association between this function and the frontal lobe functioning. She is a Psychomotor Therapist at a non-profit organisation (NGO) that deals with individuals with disabilities. In addition, she also works with preschool children, with normal or pathological development, and at a nursing home.