Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 58 No. 2, 2014.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.13112/PC.2014.15
Social maturity in children and youth autistic spectrum disorder and those with intellectual disability
Dragana Mamić
; Centar za autizam Zagreb, Ljevakovićeva 30 a, 10000 Zagreb
Rea Fulgosi Masnjak
Ivana Sladić Kljajić
Abstract
Social maturity is defi ned and assessed through the adaptive behavior domains of communication, daily living skills, socialization
and maladaptive behaviors, which consist of social-emotional, cognitive, and behavioral skills needed for successful coping in social
situations. The aim of the study was to assess social maturity defi ned through adaptive behaviors in the samples of children and
youth with autism spectrum disorders and those with intellectual disability without autism spectrum disorders (N=98, aged 7-21,
both male and female, from the Center for Autism in Zagreb). Adaptive behavior developmental level was assessed on the Vineland-II
Social Maturity Scale. Statistically signifi cant diff erences in the space of adaptive behavior as an indicator of social maturity
between the tested samples were obtained. Participants with autistic spectrum disorders had lower adaptive behavior levels and
exhibited more maladaptive behaviors than participants with intellectual disability. This study proved the structure of social maturity
and adaptive skills between children and youth with autistic spectrum disorders and those with intellectual disability to be
signifi cantly diff erent. The data obtained also indicate that the lower adaptive behavior level, as well as maladaptive behavior poses
a greater risk of mental health problems and as such they can be used for prevention concerning the choice and application of
educational and rehabilitation support programs. It contributes to better quality of life of such children and their families.
Keywords
adaptation, psychological; autistic disorder; intellectual disability; child; adolescent
Hrčak ID:
138329
URI
Publication date:
25.6.2014.
Visits: 2.357 *