Evaluation of the Physical and Mental State of Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: Case Study of the Centre of Awakening and Rehabilitation the Pelican of Niamey

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the general physical and mental state of the children of the centre of awakening and rehabilitation the ‘Pelican’ of Niamey, before their implication in adapted physical activities (APA). Thirty-one children with intellectual disabilities, including six girls and 25 boys enrolled in the centre in 2018-2019 (14.7 ± 5.6 years) and selected by reasoned choice, actually participated to this study. Height, weight, hip circumference and waist size were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated to determine their weight status as recommended by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Physical, cognitive and socio-emotional adaptive abilities were also assessed. The average BMI was 23.2 ± 6.6 kg / m2, with 11 obese children, 11 with normal weight and 9 underweight. The aetiological profile predominantly revealed cases of trisomy 21 in 24 children, six of them had pervasive developmental disorders, and one of them had autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There was no problem of communication between the children studied. However, 14 of them sometimes had emotional troubles and 16 was unable to take any initiative. They all had good tone, good motor skill and easily participated to daily tasks. They had good perception and understood the instructions they were given, but sleep disturbances and feeding difficulties were reported. The results indicate that the children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities of the centre of awakening and rehabilitation the ‘Pelican’ of Niamey have sufficient level to participate to the adapted physical activities, proposed for their care in terms of the promotion of their mental health and the development of their sociability.