COM'IN - Promoting communicative development in children and adolescents with intellectual developmental disabilities to support their inclusion

The social inclusion of people with disabilities is an EU priority. People with intellectual development disorders (IDD - a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes impairments in intellectual and adaptive functioning) are most at risk of exclusion because most of them have communication difficulties, and the more communication difficulties they have, the more difficulties they have with self-determination, social inclusion and interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, the professionals who work with them express a need for training in communication skills. Communication difficulties entail a risk of exclusion, as communication skills are essential for learning, working, forming relationships and engaging in different social contexts. Supporting communication is therefore essential to promote the social and professional inclusion of individuals, and trained professionals are essential to this support. It was with a view to developing this support for professionals in Europe that we decided to submit this project and bring together 8 organisations from 5 European countries.

The COM-IN project aimed to improve the social participation of young people with intellectual development disorders (IDD) by developing the training of professionals working with them. At present, there are still major differences in the way professionals support the communication skills of young people with IDD. The aim of the COM-IN project was to develop tools (guide, training module, MOOC) for professionals so that they can help young people to develop and improve their communication skills on a daily basis.