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CBT for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Emerging Evidence, Cognitive Ability and IQ Effects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2008

John L. Taylor ,
William R. Lindsay  and
Paul Willner
John L. Taylor*
Affiliation:
Northumbria University and Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, UK
William R. Lindsay
Affiliation:
NHS Tayside, The Sate Hospital, Carstairs and University of Abertay Dundee, UK
Paul Willner
Affiliation:
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust and Swansea University, UK
*
Reprint requests to John L. Taylor, Northumbria University, Coach Lane Campus-East, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA, UK. E-mail: john2.taylor@northumbria.ac.uk
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Abstract

Historically people with intellectual disabilities have not been offered or received cognitive behavioural interventions that have been shown to be effective for mental health and emotional problems experienced by those without such disabilities. This is despite many people with intellectual disabilities having life experiences that potentially result in them having an increased risk to such problems. This paper discusses whether such therapeutic disdain is justified based on the evidence that is available and emerging concerning the application of cognitive behavioural interventions for this population. Issues concerning access to services, the ability of people with intellectual disabilities to engage in and benefit from the cognitive components of CBT, and the effect of cognitive abilities and IQ level on treatment effectiveness are explored in relation to this question.

Keywords

CBTintellectual disabilitiescognitive abilitiesIQ
Type
Client Group Applications
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 36 , Issue 6: Developments in the Theory and Practice of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies , November 2008 , pp. 723 - 733
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2008

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