Wolfson researcher joins Mind the Kids podcast to discuss support for children with mild intellectual difficulties

Wolfson Centre researcher Dr Foteini Tseliou has joined ACAMH’s Mind the Kids podcast to discuss what helps children with mild intellectual difficulties achieve better emotional, behavioural and educational outcomes.

In conversation with hosts Dr Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb, Dr Tseliou explores findings from research involving more than 15,000 children across the UK.

The episode highlights that many children with mild intellectual difficulties attend mainstream schools and may not be formally identified. Although these children can face increased challenges, including bullying and poorer mental health, their outcomes are not fixed.

Positive peer relationships emerged as one of the strongest protective factors identified by the research. The findings also suggest that support has a cumulative effect: children benefit most when protective factors are present across several areas of their lives, including friendships, home and school.

The discussion makes the case for early, inclusive and coordinated support, rather than waiting until difficulties become severe.

Watch the Mind the Kids podcast episode on YouTube.

Read the paper, “Factors associated with better emotional, behavioural and educational outcomes in children with mild intellectual difficulties” published in JCPP Advances, or find out more in our original research story.