Communicating Spirituality: Understanding Prayer and Study Experiences of Those with Cognitive Disabilities Using Natural Language Processing

Religious practice plays a vital role in many lives, yet the experiences of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) remain understudied. This mixed methods study explored spiritual engagement among young adults with IDD living in a religious hostel and their mentors. Data analysis included content coding, word clouds, emotion mapping, and AI-assisted case synthesis. Results show that spiritual practices offer structure, emotional support, social connection, and personal growth. While residents and mentors shared overlapping spiritual experiences, each group emphasized different aspects. These findings highlight the value of inclusive religious environments that nurture diverse expressions of faith and belonging.