With this book, we have the opportunity to focus on intellectual disability and approach it through understanding the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. However, what is particularly important is the authors' choice to shed light not only on the cognitive limitations of intellectual disability but also on the problems of adaptive behavior, with particular emphasis on challenging behaviors. Through the compilation of the presented research, the authors highlight not only what are the challenging behaviors that often accompany intellectual disability, but also how they interact with the way we all interpret and react to them.

There are many questions that arise. What are stereotypes? Why does a child self-harm? What purpose does the aggressive behavior of people with intellectual disability serve? Should we accept challenging behaviors or try to change them? Should we ignore or intervene directly, even punitively? There are also many questions for educators who are called to work with children within the framework of both special and general education.

The research findings presented in the book come to support contemporary needs and give an optimistic message about the possibilities of positive intervention in the challenging behaviors of people with intellectual disability.

Souzana Panteliadou from the "Preface"

A useful handbook for general and special education teachers, caregivers, and professionals working with children and adolescents with intellectual disability (psychologists, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, speech therapists), as well as parents who face the behavioral problems of their children with intellectual disability on a daily basis.