Studies examining cognitive development in intellectual disability (ID) support the Compensation Age Theory which suggests that intelligence in adults with ID peaks at age 40-45 (Lifshitz, 2020; Lifshitz-Vahav, 2015). For the first time, this study investigated emotional intelligence (EI) trajectories among adolescents (CA = 16-21) and adults (CA = 22-40) with ID (N = 55, IQ = 40-70) compared to typically developing peers (N = 54, IQ = 85-115). Three main models for EI were developed: the Abilities Model (cognitive), the Traits Model (emotional), and the Mixed Model (both dimensions). Results revealed that adults with ID demonstrated higher emotional abilities than adolescents in cognitive-based models. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between all three models in both research groups, indicating strong connections between cognitive and emotional components. The findings extend the Compensation Age Theory to EI, suggesting that cognitive maturation and life experience contribute to emotional development in the ID population.

Keywords: Emotional intelligence, Abilities Model, Traits Model, Mixed Model, Intellectual disability, Continuous (compensatory) Trajectory.

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The post Emotional Intelligence in Adolescents and Adults with Intellectual Disability Compared to Peers with Typical Development: Impaired, Stable or Continuous Trajectory – an Exploratory Study appeared first on קרן שלם.

This study examined future caregiving intentions among siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) using a quantitative cross-sectional design. The research explored how personal, familial, and social factors relate to siblings’ willingness to assume caregiving roles in adulthood. Findings show that close sibling relationships and perceived benefits of early caregiving roles (parentification) predict higher future caregiving intentions, whereas sibling relationships, marked by conflict, predict lower future caregiving intentions. The results highlight the importance of strengthening sibling bonds as a foundation for successful and sustainable future caregiving arrangements.

Keywords: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Siblings of Individuals with IDD, Parentification, Perceived Benefits of Parentification, Sibling Relationships, Closeness

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The post Future Caregiving Intentions of Siblings of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The Role of Personal, Familial and Social Factors appeared first on קרן שלם.

The study examined changes in cognitive, social, and adaptive behavior domains among adults with comorbidity of autism and IDD across three age groups (25-34, 35-44, 45+), along two trajectories: accelerated aging and stable development. Crystallized intelligence showed stability until age 44 with significantly lower scores from age 45 onwards. Fluid intelligence showed higher scores in the 35-44 age group compared to the 25-34 age group, followed by stability. Adaptive behavior demonstrated stability until age 44 with significantly lower scores from age 45 onwards. Correlations were found between crystallized intelligence and adaptive behavior, while fluid intelligence was not associated with adaptive behavior. Additionally, autism characteristics were found to contribute to explaining the variance in all intelligence and adaptive behavior measures.

Keywords: Autism and IDD comorbidity, aging in autism, compensatory age, crystallized and fluid intelligence, adaptive behavior in autism, adults on the autism spectrum, cognitive developmental trajectories, accelerated aging in intellectual disability.

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The post Changes in Cognitive, Social and Adaptive Behavior among Adults with Comorbidity of Autism and Intellectual Disability: Accelerated or Stable Trajectory appeared first on קרן שלם.

The present study examined the contribution of personal characteristics (self-efficacy and locus of control) and organizational characteristics (type of residential setting, prevalence of abuse, ethical conflicts arising from conflicting obligations, and perceived organizational support) to staff members’ perceived ability to act in accordance with their obligations toward residents in residential settings for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The findings provided partial support for the research hypotheses. The likelihood of moral action was lower in institutions compared to community-based residential settings. In addition, perceived organizational support emerged as a positive and significant predictor of moral action. These findings highlight the importance of organizational conditions in shaping moral action. Altogether, the study variables accounted for 3.9% of the variance in moral action. Thus, while the examined variables contribute to understanding the phenomenon, they do not fully capture its complexity

Keywords: intellectual and developmental disability; out-of-home residential settings; moral action; abuse and mistreatment

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The post Moral action among staff in institutions for people with intellectual disabilities: The Contribution of Personal and Organizational Characteristics appeared first on קרן שלם.

The study examined the contribution of background variables, stress levels, and emotional intelligence in explaining psychological capital and empathy among 93 adults, including 46 individuals with cerebral palsy and 47 with typical development. The findings indicated that adults with CP reported lower levels of stress, higher emotional intelligence, and greater empathy compared to their typically developing peers. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between stress and emotional intelligence, psychological capital, and empathy, while a positive correlation emerged between emotional intelligence and the dependent variables. Emotional intelligence was identified as a mediating variable, highlighting the importance of developing emotional education programs and psychological empowerment for individuals with disabilities.

Keywords: cerebral palsy, emotional intelligence, psychological capital

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The post Contribution of Background Variables, Stress and Emotional Intelligence as a Mediator on Psychological Capital and Empathy among Adults with Cerebral Palsy compared to Adults with Typical Development appeared first on קרן שלם.

The present study examined the contribution of a workshop based on the MISC-CAB model to the quality of mediated interaction between a multidisciplinary staff and toddlers with global developmental delay (GDD). Thirty-one staff members from rehabilitation daycares participated and were assigned to an experimental or a control group. Staff attitudes, beliefs, psychological capital, and the quality of staff–toddler interaction were assessed before and after the workshop. Results showed a significant improvement in mediated interaction quality in the experimental group, with no change in attitudes or psychological capital. The workshop demonstrated a statistically significant unique contribution beyond background variables. Findings support implementing the MISC-CAB model in rehabilitation daycares and highlight the need for further large-scale studies.

Keywords: MISC-CAB, mediated interaction, multidisciplinary stuff, rehabilitation daycares, global developmental delay (GDD), attitudes, psychological capital.

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The post The Contribution of a MISC-CAB Model Workshop to the Interaction between Staff and Toddlers with Developmental Delay, and to the Staff's Attitudes, Beliefs, and Psychological Capital appeared first on קרן שלם.

The evaluation study examined the effectiveness of “The Good Conversation” initiative, designed to provide social workers with practical tools for conducting adapted communication with people with intellectual disabilities. Twenty-one social workers from 13 municipalities participated in the pilot. They viewed simulation videos, learned the principles of effective communication, and applied them in their work for approximately one month. Findings showed a significant contribution to learning the principles (90%), improved quality of conversation and interaction with service recipients (76%), and increased professional confidence. Participants reported clearer, more respectful, and better-adapted communication, alongside greater empowerment of service recipients. All participants recommended the tool and identified potential for expansion to additional professional audiences.

Keywords: Cognitive Accessibility, Easy Language, Adapted Conversation, Adapted Communication, Social Workers, Intellectual Disability, Simulations, Improved Interaction, Professional Development

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The post Evaluation of “The Good Conversation” Initiative for Social Workers in Local Authorities appeared first on קרן שלם.

The study examined the effectiveness of a training program for developing ״change agents״ among 15 occupational therapists and physiotherapists in special education, to promote participation-focused intervention for students with disabilities. The program (30 academic hours) led to the development of 13 systemic initiatives in various educational settings (mean score 90.12/105). A significant increase was found in participants' perception of their abilities in change agent role components, specifically in ״knowledge managers״ and ״capacity builders״ dimensions, and significant change in implementing strategies for initiatives at micro, meso, and macro levels. Participants progressed in self-perception regarding their role as change agents from ״I cannot״ to ״we are doing,״ while consolidating professional identity as change agents. The research demonstrates a feasible model for bridging the gap between research and practice in promoting participation of students with disabilities.

Keywords: Participation, change agent, knowledge translation, occupational therapy, special education, P-KT roadmap

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The post Examining the Effectiveness of a Training Program for Occupational Therapists in Special Education to Develop Knowledge Translation Capabilities and Lead Initiatives for Promoting Participation-Focused Intervention for Students with Disabilities appeared first on קרן שלם.

The report summarizes the findings of a pilot program jointly initiated by the One in Nine Association, the Disabilities Administration of the Ministry of Welfare, and the Shalem Foundation. The program aimed to examine the suitability of workshops designed to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer for women with developmental intellectual disability and cognitive decline.
Five frameworks participated in the pilot (four employment centers and one government residence), supported by three facilitators from One in Nine and five referents from the participating frameworks. The evaluation was conducted by the Shalem Foundation’s Michlol Unit, using questionnaires, interviews, and reporting forms.
The findings indicate that the service recipients cooperated and showed genuine interest in the workshop content, and most of them remembered the key messages even three months later. The facilitators and referents emphasized the importance of splitting the workshop into several sessions and reported a better atmosphere in the second and third sessions, in which the service recipients were already familiar with the facilitator. They also highlighted the central importance of the referent within each framework as a critical factor for the project’s success.
The presentations and materials used were assessed as accessible and appropriate, though the need for more tangible aids was noted—for example, the use of a physical model to illustrate key concepts. Challenges that emerged during the pilot included difficulties coordinating with the frameworks, challenges in recruiting guardians for the preliminary meeting, high variability in functioning levels among participants, and occasional operational difficulties within the frameworks themselves.
Despite these challenges, the pilot demonstrated that complex medical information can be conveyed to women with developmental intellectual disability and cognitive decline (at higher functioning levels) in a manner that is clear, relevant, and impactful—an achievement that represents a significant milestone in making medical knowledge accessible and promoting the health of women with disabilities in Israel.

Keywords: One in Nine, early detection of breast cancer, women with developmental intellectual disability, cognitive decline, cognitive accessibility, plain language adaptation, health promotion, adapted workshops

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The post Evaluation findings of: Providing workshops to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer for women with Developmental intellectual disability and cognitive decline appeared first on קרן שלם.

This study examined the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) who have cancer by eliciting their voices. Eighteen participants aged 30–78 and diagnosed with mild to moderate ID and various types of cancer were interviewed. Most participants had received limited medical information, which was sometimes withheld from them, leading to feelings of confusion and lack of control. Participants described fear of death, surgery, and treatment—yet most did not share their fear with caregivers or healthcare staff members. Some participants concealed their illness from friends. Nonetheless, participants also reported significant support from family members and residential staff members. The findings highlight the need for accessible medical information, tailored emotional support, and training for medical and psychosocial support teams to promote empathetic and respectful communication that will empower people ID who have cancer and improve their quality of life.

Keywords: intellectual disabilities, cancer, medical information, illness experience, coping, support, concealment

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The post People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Diagnosed with Cancer: The Experience of Illness and Coping with Cancer appeared first on קרן שלם.