Neuropsychological Functioning of Individuals with Intellectual Disability: Role of Behaviour Therapy

Intellectual disability, also known as mental retardation, is a prevalent psychological issue. According to the American Psychiatric Association and DSM criteria, it is defined by deficits in two key areas: intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Objectives The study was conducted to discover the effect of behavioral therapy on the neurological function of a person with an intellectual disability. Method Using a pre- and post-experimental design, 28 participants were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to control and experimental groups. The experimental group participated in daily behavioral therapy sessions, while the control group received conventional treatment. Neuropsychological assessments, including the Bender Gestalt and Slosson Intelligence tests, were analyzed using SPSS Results The findings indicate that behavior therapy has minimal impact on neuropsychological functioning. However, both groups improved intellectual, motor, and perceptual abilities post-intervention. These results emphasize the necessity for additional research to clarify the connection between behavioral therapy and neuropsychological outcomes in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), which will inform future intervention strategies. Individuals facing intellectual disabilities (ID) face challenges in both intellectual and adaptive skills. Various factors like genetics and the environment can cause these challenges. Symptoms of ID might show up early in life or during school years. Overall, while the study exhibits methodological rigor and contributes valuable insights to the field, its limitations underscore the need for further research with larger sample sizes, longer intervention periods, and comprehensive outcome measures to elucidate the efficacy of behavioral therapy in individuals with intellectual disabilities.