Workshop 21

 

Methods for the cognitive assessment and treatment of emotional disorders in people with intellectual disability.

William Lindsay, University of Abertay, Dundee, UK

 

 William Lindsay

There have been a number of recent developments in the assessment and treatment of a range of emotional disorders and relationship difficulties in people with intellectual disability (ID). These have included assessments for anxiety, depression , anger and sexual problems. The workshop will introduce participants to a range of assessments but more importantly will review ways of presenting assessment material to individuals with poor reading and comprehension skills. Because all assessments are essentially conducted through structured interview , I will look at ways of gaining additional material from any information gathering session. I will then cover ways of conducting cognitive therapy with people with mild ID. I will demonstrate general techniques for conducting CBT for a range of problems and the workshop will include several role-play and practice exercises. We will also incorporate recent important theoretical developments in the field.
 
Key Objectives: Participants will gain the following skills:
1) Conducting assessments with people with ID.
2) Identifying appropriate assessments for the client group and the skills to make adjustments to assessments where required.
3) Developing motivation.
4) Setting an agenda which is appropriate for a client with ID.
5) Conducting treatment at a  suitable level and pace.
6) Techniques for maintaining the  interest of people with ID.
7) Methods for challenging cognitions with people with ID.

Training Modalities: The workshop will include informative presentations, role-play, modelling and practice sessions.

Bill Lindsay is consultant forensic clinical psychologist at the State Hospital Carstairs, Head of clinical psychology (LD) in NHS Tayside and chair of Learning Disabilities at the University of Abertay Dundee, Scotland. He has published over 200 academic papers in the field, conducted hundreds of presentations, co-edited “Offenders with Developmental Disability” (Wiley) and co-edited several special journal issues on CBT. He is currently editing 2 books on treatment in offenders with ID.
 
References: 1) Willner P. (2006) Readiness for cognitive therapy in people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 19, 5-16.
2) Jahoda,A, Dagnan D., Jarvie P and Kerr,W.(2006) Depression, social context and cognitive behaviour therapy for people who have intellectual disability.  Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 19, 81 –90.
3) Lindsay WR and Skene D. (2007) The Beck depression inventory II abd the Beck anxiety inventory in people with ID   Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20, in press.