Telerehabilitation in children and adolescents with intellectual disability: a systematic review
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By
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Martina Micai
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Letizia Gila
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Angela Caruso
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Daniela Morelli
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Maria Grazia Totino
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Giulia Balboni
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Carmen Belacchi
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Alessandra Colucci
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Chiara Fantini
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Tiziana Metitieri
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Margherita Orsolini
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Alessandra Rampazzi
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Ciro Ruggerini
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Cristiana Stefani
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Marco Bertelli
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Francesca Fulceri
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Maria Luisa Scattoni
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June 11, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Telehealth Rehabilitation for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities: A Comprehensive Review
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Intellectual Disability (ID) |
| Key Mechanisms | Telerehabilitation utilizing telecommunications technologies to deliver rehabilitation services. |
| Target Population | Children and adolescents (≤18 years) with intellectual disabilities. |
| Care Setting | Remote healthcare delivery through telemedicine. |
Key Highlights
- Telerehabilitation interventions showed improvements in language, communication skills, and challenging behaviors.
- Parent-mediated and telehealth-delivered behavioral interventions were effective in reducing externalizing behaviors.
- Digital cognitive training programs demonstrated feasibility and short-term gains in working memory and attention.
- Interventions targeting lifestyle and mental health showed preliminary positive results.
- Studies exhibited substantial variability in design, intervention protocols, and outcome measures.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Utilize a multidisciplinary approach for assessment, including psychiatry, neurology, and psychology.
Management
- Incorporate caregiver involvement in telerehabilitation interventions.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Use telemonitoring to assess progress and adapt interventions as needed.
Risks
- Consider methodological limitations and variability in study designs when interpreting results.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.
Telerehabilitation can improve access to care and support functional outcomes.
Clinical Best Practices
- Engage caregivers actively in the rehabilitation process.
- Tailor digital interventions to individual cognitive and sensory profiles.
- Adopt a triadic model involving clinician, caregiver, and individual for effective telerehabilitation.
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