Socio-Demographic and Clinical Features of Children with Intellectual Disability and Their Parents-an Indian Study

Abstract

Aim: Intellectual disability often referred to as a mental, cognitive or mental retardation is a lifelong condition that affects intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. Information about children with intellectual disability attending regular schools is limited in India as there are no mandatory screening procedures used to detect these children while starting their schooling. Hence the purpose of the study was to examine the demographic and clinical features of children in regular schools with intellectual disability and also to explore their parental demographic and clinical features.   Study Design:  Cross sectional study Sample: The sample (N=382) was collected from regular school going children within the age range of 5 to 16 years who were referred by special educators.   Methodology: Clinical diagnosis and psychological assessments were conducted individually for 382 children and their parents.   Results: Results of the clinical evaluation and assessment indicate that intellectual disability was associated with male gender (61.3%), poor socio-economic status (78.8%), pre-natal, peri-natal and post-natal complications (74%), family history of intellectual disability (11.2%), mental illness (22.2%) and increased maternal age. High rates of comorbidity with psychiatric disorders (48.17%), especially with externalizing disorders were noticed.  Conclusion: Intellectual disability is associated with psychosocial adversities and psychiatric comorbidities.