Psychomotor Therapy Effects in Adaptive Behavior and Motor Proficiency in Intellectual Disability
Psychomotor Therapy Effects in Adaptive Behavior and Motor Proficiency in 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.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  ages above 18 years

 -  diagnosis of intellectual disability

 -  institution in Castelo Branco

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  other co-morbilities associated

 -  not institutionalised