Abstract
The assessments of non-verbal intelligence in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may be subject to biases. This study compared the scores obtained on the most recent version of the Leiter scale by 18 children with high-functioning ASD and 18 typically-developing controls, who were matched for age, sex, and IQ estimated using the Raven’s Coloured Matrices. ASD children performed worse than controls on all virtually subtests and areas of the Leiter-3, including non-verbal IQ, attention-related, and working memory ability. It is suggested that the high degree of social interaction required by the Leiter-3 makes its use problematic for ASD children.

Abstract
This study extended the assessment of a smartphone-based intervention designed to support occupational engagement, provide an opportunity of physical exercise, and promote personal enjoyment in people with significant neurodevelopmental disorders. Six participants were included in the study. A Samsung Galaxy J4 Plus smartphone with Android 8.1 operating system and near-field communication function was automated through the MacroDroid application to fit the intervention conditions. The participants were required to place cards with frequency identification tags into an elevated box with an embedded smartphone. The smartphone identified each of the cards the participant placed into the box and played preferred song segments matching those cards. The smartphone also provided a verbal prompt/encouragement to respond if preset time intervals elapsed without any card response. All participants showed significant increases in their frequency of card responses, in their heart rates, and in their indices of enjoyment during the intervention sessions as opposed to baseline or control sessions. The results were discussed in relation to previous data in the area and in terms of their apparent relevance for daily contexts.

Abstract
Although higher education for students with disabilities has become more and more accessible, the environments of some universities and colleges still limit students' potentials. This research was aimed to explore the most relevant challenges that students with physical disability have to face at The Hashemite University in Jordan. A quantitative design was employed wherein a questionnaire was developed to collect the data. The study sample consisted of sixty-three (63) students with physical disability, who were recruited from both humanities and scientific faculties at the Hashemite University. Results revealed that students with physical disabilities faced moderate levels of challenges. The way they perceived challenges differed on the basis of the study variables, namely gender, academic year, and faculty type. Significant statistical differences were found in students' perception of challenges within some domains of the study tool. These results are consistent with the existing literature. Based on research outcomes, some recommendations are finally provided for policy-making and practice.

Abstract
In the last few decades, the relationship between physical conditions and mental health in the elderly has increasingly attracted the interest of researchers and professionals. Evidence shows that physical activity is a protective factor as it determines enormous benefits on both cognitive functioning and well-being. Based on these premises, the present research aims to evaluate the relationship between Physical Activity, Cognitive Function, namely attention and memory, and social well-being in a volunteer sample of sixty-one Italian old adults, aged between sixty-five and eighty-three years. Participants were administered the Short Form Health Survey, the Trail Making Test and the Serial Repetition Bi-syllabic Words Test, before and after a training program designed by a team of different specialists within a joint project. Findings showed that physical activity has positive effects on both cognitive functions and quality of life, thus emphasizing the additional role of training programs (including cognitive training exercises) as cost-effective opportunities for elderly people to socialize (Pace & Zappulla, 2013).

Abstract
The present study aimed to compare hetero- vs homosexual couples on their dyadic level of trust, parental stress, and child’s resilience. Moreover, the study analyzed whether dyadic trust and parental stress were associated with child’s resilience. Thirty-eight couples agreed to participate in the study; half of them were in a heterosexual relationship and half in a homosexual one. The couples were matched based on the adults’ gender and the gender and age of the first-born. The age range of the first-born was 3-11 years (M = 5.5; SD = 2.2) for heterosexual couples and 3-14 (M = 6.4; SD = 3) for homosexual couples. The findings showed no differences between the two groups on trust, parental stress and child’s resilience. Furthermore, the results revealed that trust is positively correlated, and stress negatively so, with child resilience. Thus, the parents’ sexual orientation did not impact child’s resilience competences; on the other hand, trust between romantic partners and parental stress were protective and risk factors, respectively, on child resilience. Our findings highlighted that, regardless the parents’ sexual orientation, the couples’ dynamics and parental stress have an impact on their children’s interpersonal competence.

Abstract
Previous studies have investigated the role of metacognitive beliefs in patients with a chronic medical condition and their caregivers. However, there is still a paucity of studies that have examined dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and their relationships with anxiety and depression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis caregivers (ALS). This study aimed at examining the role of gender and dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs on anxiety and depression in ALS patients’ caregivers. The study was conducted on a group of 70 caregivers (26 males and 44 females, mean age = 51.98, SD = 15.54) of ALS patients referred to the NEMO Clinical Centers of Messina and Milano and a matched control group drawn from the MCQ-30 Italian normative database. The Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were administered. Results showed a significant multivariate effect of gender with females scoring higher than males on anxiety and depression. Dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs had a significant multivariate effect on anxiety and depression. Finally, there were no significant differences between ALS caregivers and healthy subjects for any metacognitive factors. Further investigations might clarify the potential role of metacognitions as vulnerability factors to the development of emotional disorders.

Abstract
The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has turned into a global outbreak (pandemic), has inevitably affected the lives and habits of individuals with special needs, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and their families. During the COVID-19 emergency, children with ASD found themselves to face the risks connected to the physical inactivity due to prolonged stay-at-home periods, the forced closure of training centers and, often, unsuitable online learning environments. Although this is a new issue, no research has yet examined the effects of physical inactivity on children with ASD during the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study was to examine the effects of physical inactivity on children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic from a parental perspective. One-to-one semi-structured phone interviews were conducted on parents of children with ASD (N = 12) and then analyzed using thematic analysis. Parents' opinions revealed that physical inactivity during the COVID-19 outbreak increased their children’s sedentary behavior, excessive feeding habits and behavioral problems, thus leading to a decrease in their motor skills. Findings suggested that parents were unprepared about the appropriate physical activity program to be proposed during the forced COVID-19 quarantine.

Abstract
The health emergency we are all experiencing as a consequence of the SARS-Cov2 pandemic, the stressors and all their related factors have strongly influenced the psychological and physical well-being of people with Intellectual Disability (ID), their families and the health care professionals who are daily involved in their care. The containment measures applied have changed the normal rhythms of life and routines, leading to a negative impact on quality of life. The aim of this paper is to present a psychological intervention model and the specific activities addressed for this population, their family and the health care professionals involved in their care and rehabilitation, in order to reduce the impact of the pandemic on their quality of life and to prevent the onset of any psychopathological disorders.