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Psychology and Law
2025. Vol. 15, no. 3, 37–53
doi:10.17759/psylaw.2025150303
ISSN: 2222-5196 (online)

Risks of social and communicative integration of children with intellectual disability in the context of global digitalization

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. This analytical review addresses the issue of digital inclusion for children with intellectual disabilities. The ongoing global digitalization process creates new educational and social opportunities while also exacerbating digital inequality. The relevance of this study is determined by the necessity of analyzing strategies for digital integration of this group of children, considering both the opportunities and risks associated with the digital environment. Objective. The study aims to systematize current data on digital inclusion, focusing on barriers to inclusive education, the use of augmentative and alternative communication tools, and the impact of digital technologies on the socialization of children with intellectual developmental disorders. Hypothesis. The digital environment can facilitate the socialization and learning of children with intellectual disabilities, provided that content and tools are adapted to their cognitive abilities. Methods and materials. The research is based on the analysis of scientific publications (2021—2024) on digital accessibility, legal regulation of inclusive education, and the application of modern technologies in learning and social adaptation. The study employs methods of systematization, comparative analysis, and synthesis. Results. The findings highlight the need to adhere to accessibility standards in the development of digital educational platforms and to foster an interdisciplinary approach that integrates pedagogical, technical, psychological, and legal aspects. Augmentative and alternative communication, universal design for learning, virtual reality, and telemedicine solutions hold potential in education and rehabilitation. However, challenges remain, including difficulties in processing multimodal content, information overload, and insufficient adaptation of digital platforms. Conclusions. Effective digital inclusion requires a comprehensive adaptation of educational programs, modernization of digital infrastructure, and the development of specialized competencies among professionals working with children with intellectual disabilities.

General Information

Keywords: intellectual disability, digital risks, digital divide, alternative and augmentative communication, digital accessibility standards

Journal rubric: Legal Psychology of Childhood

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2025150303

Funding. The study was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation No. 24-28-01653, https://rscf.ru/en/project/24-28-01653/; Russian Christian Academy for Humanities named after Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Received 07.04.2025

Revised 26.04.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Zashchirinskaia, O.V., Belimova, P.A. (2025). Risks of social and communicative integration of children with intellectual disability in the context of global digitalization. Psychology and Law, 15(3), 37–53. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2025150303

© Zashchirinskaia O.V., Belimova P.A., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Oksana V. Zashchirinskaia, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Professor of the Department of Pedagogy and Educational Psychology of the Faculty of Psychology, Saint-Petersburg State University, Head of the Department of Psychotraumatology, Christian Academy of the Humanities named after F. Dostoevsky, Associate professor, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Care, Herzen State Pedagogical University, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2666-3529, e-mail: zaoks@mail.ru

Polina A. Belimova, PhD in Psychology, Candidate of Science (Psychology), research assistant, Russian Christian Academy for the Humanities named after F. Dostoevsky, Engineer, Center of Usability and Mixed Reality, ITMO University, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8581-4924, e-mail: belimova_polina@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors

Oksana V. Zaschirinskaia — ideas; planning of the research; control over the research.

Polina A. Belimova — annotation, writing and design of the manuscript.

All authors participated in the discussion of the results and approved the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethics statement

The article doesn’t contain any materials to be considered by an Ethical committee.

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