Second-order Mental State Attribution in Children with Intellectual Disability: Cognitive Functioning and Some Educational Planning Challenges

Abstract

Second-order mental state attribution in two groups of children with non-specific intellectual disability and
Down syndrome was investigated. The children were compared to overall mental age-matched group of typically
developing children. The aim of the present study was to determine the specificity of the theory of mind deficit
to different groups of children with intellectual disability. The results clearly showed that children with Down
syndrome performed more poorly than the children with non-specific intellectual disability, and that typically
developing children perform significantly better than do other groups. The findings are discussed in terms of the
specificity of the etiology-related profiles of intellectually disabled groups. Several critical issues related to
intervention strategies in the field of intellectual disability are also discussed, considering the educational
practices.