Psychomotor Therapy Effects in Adaptive Behavior and Motor Proficiency in Intellectual Disability

Intellectual Disability

adaptive behavior, motor proficiency, psychomotor therapy, intellectual disability

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) usually present limitations at adaptive behavior and motor skills, which lead to limitations/barriers in the daily independent functioning of this population. The main goal of this research is to analyze the efficacy of a Psychomotor Intervention Program on adults with and without IDD, through an assessment of their progress both in adaptive behavior competences and motor proficiency skills.

This study sample comprised 15 participants divided by three groups of 5 individuals each: one group with IDD (with different ethiology), another one with Down Syndrome and the third with typical development. Ages range from 22 to 31 years-old (Average=26,5; St. Deviation=3,76), 6 were females and 9 males. All adults with IDD were all institutionalized at an Occupation Activities Centre of an institution and adults without ID were selected by convenience, with ages comprised within the selected range. All groups were compared through both evaluation instruments: the Portuguese version of Adaptive Behavior Scale (PABS) and Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test (BOT-2). Both tests were applied according to original protocols. Ethics requisites were fulfilled. After the initial assessment, a Psychomotor Intervention Program was designed specifically for participants with IDD. This program integrated individual and group sessions during 3 months, and the main goals of the program were related to motor coordination (balance, manual dexterity and coordination, global and fine praxis), economic and professional activities, academic and verbal skills.

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