Adapting Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities

In this course, Dr. Anastasia Hronis, Ph.D., Honorary Associate of the University of Technology Sydney, observes how, because of experiencing a greater number and range of adverse life events than children without intellectual disability (ID), those with ID have higher rates of mental health disorders and low rates of accessing treatments. Debunking the notion that children with ID are unable to engage in therapy, Hronis explains the components and chief concepts of the Fearless Me! Program that she and her associates developed for children with ID and anxiety. It is a simplified version of cognitive behavioural therapy which, in ten engaging sessions, guides clinician and client to help children relax; distinguish between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours; identify anxious thoughts; and to search for helpful thoughts to replace the worry thoughts. She lists the specific adaptations made to help therapists work with this population of clients.