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Comparative Assessment of the Adaptive Behavior Among Typically Developing Children and Children With Disability at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Globally, over 240 million children live with disabilities, facing significant barriers to early education, healthcare, and social inclusion. In India, developmental delays and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and hearing impairment (HI) affect a growing number of children. Adaptive behavior, comprising conceptual, social, and practical skills, is a critical indicator of functional development. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the adaptive behavior of typically developing children with that of children diagnosed with disabilities attending outpatient services in a tertiary care center. METHODS: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at AIIMS Raipur with a total sample of 100 children aged 2-10 years, divided equally between the disabled and typically developing groups. Participants were selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews using the Vineland Social Maturity Scale and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including t-tests and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Typically developing children scored significantly higher across all domains of adaptive behavior (p < 0.001). The widest gap was noted in self-dependence (SD), followed by self-help dressing and communication. Among the disabled subgroups, children with autism showed the lowest communication scores (p = 0.011). Demographic factors such as disability history were significantly associated with adaptive outcomes. CONCLUSION: Children with disabilities, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), exhibit markedly reduced adaptive functioning across several domains.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.91431

Authors: Nikita Yadav, Binu Mathew, J Jeayareka, Sharda Pasari, Sheetal LNU

Institutions: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur

Language: English

Topic: Down syndrome and intellectual disability research

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4413904808