Sara Pinto
University Institute of Maia, Portugal
Title: Praxis functioning in individuals with intellectual disabilities: implications for healthcarers
Biography
Biography: Sara Pinto
Abstract
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 praxic funtioning 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 apraxic behaviour because they were able to reach the goal of praxic tasks performed, despite the high number of space and time errors commited. These erros 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.