Genesis of Behavioral Disorders in people with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

Developmental disorders are characterized by a disruption in the normal development of intellectual or motor abilities (learning gestures). These developmental disorders can appear during pregnancy or after birth during the first months or years of the child's life. The causes are diverse (e.g. genetic factors, life events, etc.). In addition to communication and interaction difficulties, there are often everyday difficulties, sometimes extremely aggressive for those around them and which should not be underestimated: eating disorders (selectivity, refusal of pieces or certain foods, etc.) and sleep disorders (difficulty falling asleep and waking up at night) are very common. Mental retardation and epilepsy are frequently associated disorders (in 70% and 30% of cases respectively) that should be investigated. There is a lack of knowledge about participation of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) in family activities and how improved participation can be reached. Gathering such knowledge could enable an improvement in child functioning and wellbeing and also ease everyday life for families of a child with PIMD.