The effectiveness of the prevention of psychoactive substance abuse among adolescents with a mild cognitive impairment. The experiences from “My life, my choice” project

The subject of prevention of the use of psychoactive substances by young people with intellectual disabilities is definitely underrepresented, if at all present, both in Polish and world literature. Meanwhile, research shows a high demand for preventive measures in this group. The current article presents the assumptions of the pioneering preventive program “My life, my choice”, addressed to young people with intellectual disabilities and discussion of the results of its evaluation. The analysis focuses in particular on the effectiveness of the actions taken and the perception of individual elements of the program by the recipients. The collected data indicate a significan effectiveness of the program in four of the five areas, as well as the importance of selective preventive interactions.

Transferring pupils with profound intellectual disabilities from special schools. Preliminary studies considered in the context of pupil resistance

The article presents the author’s preliminary research on the phenomenon of transferring pupils with profound intellectual disability from special schools to rehabilitation, education and upbringing centres. Directors of centres from eight voivodships took part in the study, giving opinions on the situation of pupils, including the reasons for changing the institution. The presented analyses enable the identification of categories of pupil behaviour defined in the literature as resistance to school. This study is located in the paradigm of critical pedagogy, as well as critical emancipation, which allows the recognition of elements, phenomena and activities that impede the proper functioning of pupils in the school environment.

Stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities in the perception of high school students

The article presents the results of the analysis of differences between men and women in terms of the intensity of stereotypical beliefs about people with intellectual disabilities. In the research, a diagnostic survey method was used, and in the construction of the research tool the Questionnaire of Stereotypical Perception of a Person with Mental Handicap (KSPOUU) by Maria Chodkowska and Beata Szabała (Osoby z upośledzeniem umysłowym w stereotypowym postrzeganiu społecznym, 2012) was used. The research involved 394 students, including 258 women (65.48%) and 136 men (34.52%) attending grades I, II or III of high school. As a result of the analyses carried out, it was found that although the level of intensity of stereotypes in the examined group was not high, they were not strongly rejected either. In addition, it turned out that the results obtained by women suggest that their beliefs about people with intellectual disabilities are less burdened with stereotypes than the beliefs of men. Research has confirmed that gender can be an important variable in analysing the perception of people with intellectual disabilities.

Life stories of people with intellectual disabilities

The article addresses the issue of life stories of people with intellectual disabilities, analysing their importance from an individual and group perspective. The potential of this method was highlighted referring to selected studies of people with intellectual disabilities. Functions designated by Elżbieta Dubas were used as the basis for the analysis. Competences relevant to the implementation of life stories have been considered, taking into account their possible limitations in people with disabilities. The focus was on the properties of cognitive processes, but personality competences were also recognized. Potential difficulties related to implementation in this group were noted and ways of overcoming them were suggested. The usefulness of life stories and life histories for the practice of care and rehabilitation of people with intellectual disabilities has been shown.

Identity under the shadow of profound intellectual disability – on the need for support, mapping of issues and scientific considerations

Everyone has the right to participate in social life regardless of personal situation, level of psychosocial functioning, gender, race or type of disability. The inherent condition of interpersonal contacts, taking place in the social space and constituting the basis of social life, is the desire to establish social relations and perceiving another participant in this process as an exceptional, original component. According to this, every person has the right to participate actively in social life, to be a part of it as “I” in order to create “we”. The aim of the article is to discuss and propagate scientific considerations about the possibilities and limitations of supporting the process of shaping the identity (personal and social) of people with profound intellectual disabilities. The article has an analytical character and aims to map the identity of people with profound intellectual disabilities in scientific and practical studies. It identifies areas and the type of support that will contribute to the development of the psychosocial identity of individuals with profound intellectual disabilities. It also presents factors resulting from the specificity of profound intellectual disabilities which may hinder the process of carrying out assistance for the given group by the supportinstitutions.

A child with achondroplasia – interdisciplinary approach from the perspective of biology and pedagogy

The current work is an attempt to look at the problem of achondroplasia in a holistic and thus interdisciplinary way. Achondroplasia is a genetically determined disease caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the FGFR3 receptor. We have attempted to describe the biological causes of achondroplasia, addressing those issues in human biology that are necessary to understand the reasons for short stature. We also describe the chances and mechanisms of inheriting this disease. In addition, the description of the structure of a small child and his or her physical abilities which is included in the article will be helpful for the parents and in educational institutions. The children can function well in pre-school and school environments, as there are no indications for individual teaching. However, they may struggle with social and emotional difficulties, as short stature may cause problems with self-esteem, and may also be a barrier in building peer relationships. A holistic view of a child affected by achondroplasia is important to honestly support their development and education.

Social support in developing verbal communication for hearing children in the narratives of deaf parents

The article discusses the meaning of communication for family life, and then shows the importance of the social support process in developing this communication in the lingual environment created by deaf parents bringing up hearing children. The participation of third parties seems to be necessary here, above all the closest hearing relatives – such as grandparents, and also specialists – speech therapists and teachers.

Crossing the higher educational divide for people with intellectual disability

In this paper university life for people with intellectual disability will be described across international boundaries, with a particular emphasis on the model of inclusion at the University of Sydney. How the latter model was developed, researched and implemented will be included in the presentation followed by a critique of positive and challenging outcomes reported by universities that have opened their doors to students with intellectual disability. The student voice and that of lecturing staff will be digitally heard within the presentation exemplifying how unity in diversity has enabled students to self-actualize, through increasing their responsibilities and autonomy as adult learners. In keeping with the philosophy of the Maria Grzegorzewska University it will be argued that inclusion at the higher education level means a “good university for all”. Within the presentation the work of the Inclusive Research Network (IRN) at the Centre for Disability Studies will illustrate how in real life both co-design and co-researching between people with intellectual disabilities and people without can add to the concept of both building unity across diversity and crossing the divide.

The impact of opportunities to learn with grade-level classmates without disabilities on self-actualization and autonomy for students with extensive and pervasive support needs

Inclusive education encompasses both theoretical constructs (e.g., least dangerous assumption, presumed competence) and implementation variables (e.g., curriculum, settings, instructional practices). When these variables are addressed collectively, the complex and multilayered process of developing equitable schools and implementing evidence-based practices that facilitate inclusive education results in students with extensive and pervasive support needs demonstrating unpredicted progress in the acquisition and use of both academic and embedded essential skills across situations that are meaningful in their lives, as well as progress related to self-actualization and autonomy. These variables are discussed, and examples of how opportunities to learn with grade-level peers without disabilities impacted self-actualization and autonomy for one individual with extensive and pervasive support needs, following 15 years of educational segregation followed by 7 years of inclusion at school and in the community.

Shaping the faces of the prism: Rights, supports, and quality of life for enhancing inclusive education opportunities in students with intellectual disability

Although inclusive education has evolved from a general principle to a recognized right, a quality inclusive education is still not a reality for students with intellectual disability. In this article, we discuss three approaches that can bridge the gap between “what is” current education of these students and “what should be”. First, we address the underpinnings of Article 24 of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities a nd its i mplication for educational systems concerning placement and goals to achieve in these students. Second, we provide a general overview of the supports paradigm and its conceptual and practical implications regarding inclusive education. Third, we present a quality of life model as a value-based and evidence-driven framework to enhance inclusive opportunities in students with intellectual disability and to support decision-making in education from a “whole child approach”. Finally, we provide a comprehensive, systematic framework that brings these three approaches together to improve students’ outcomes linked to the goals of access, participation, learning, and development.