Quality of Life in Developmental Disabilities Across Different Geographical Contexts

The quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity is a critical yet often underexplored topic in both research and policy contexts. Definitions and perceptions of well-being vary significantly across cultural, environmental, and systemic settings, posing challenges for unified approaches. This international workshop aims to examine these variations by bringing together scholars and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines and global regions, fostering a rich, multidisciplinary dialogue.

Discussions will encompass diverse perspectives: from environmental factors, such as sleep health in vulnerable populations, to the integration of artificial intelligence as a tool for enhancing life quality. The program also includes presentations on clinical neuroscience applications and preclinical models, offering a comprehensive view of current research methodologies and translational approaches.

The workshop fosters a comprehensive understanding of well-being, encompassing both individual and systemic dimensions. Contributions presented during the event will be compiled and published in Research in Developmental Disabilities (an Elsevier Q1 journal), advancing academic dialogue and supporting the development of cross-cultural, evidence-based strategies for improving the lives of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Chairperson: Silvia Perzolli, PhD

Welcome address for the Associate Rector for Education: Paola Venuti, PhD

Introduction: Gianluca Esposito, PhD, Director of the Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science

Keynote Speakers

Eman Gaad, British University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Title: Role of AI in Improving Well-Being and Quality of Life for People with Developmental Disability in the United Arab Emirates

Giuseppe Iandolo, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
Title: Collaborative Storytelling as a Tool to Promote Quality of Life, Narrative and Social Development in Children and Adolescents with Typical and Atypical Development: Insights from the Spanish Context.

Dagmara Dimitriou, University College London, United Kingdom
Title: The Underestimated Role of Sleep: Environmental Inequality and Sleep Health in Vulnerable Populations in India, China and Singapore

Yasukazu Nakahata, Nagasaki University, Japan
Title: Sleep Disruptions in Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Preclinical Perspective from Nagasaki, Japan

Abdullah Madhesh, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Quality of Life of Students with Developmental Disabilities in Saudi Arabia

Rodrigo Carcamo, Universidad San Sebastián, Chile
Title: Developmental Trajectories in a Cultural Diversity in Chile: The Case of Mapuche and Non-Mapuche Families

Riccardo Cavallaro, University of Trento, Italy
Title: The Journey of Quality of Life Research in Developmental Disabilities: Toward Integrated and Person-Centered Approaches