Efficiency of psychological interventions with persons with intellectual disability

Abstract

This work is an attempt to review the literature and identify the key findings about the forms of psychological work needed for persons suffering from intellectual disability (ID) regarding their availability and efficiency. Though frequency of mental disturbances among persons with ID is greater than among general population, psychological interventions are often beyond their reach. Scarce availability of treatments excluded them from the scope of researches and therefore ensued with very few findings based on the proofs of their efficiency. Historically speaking, problems of mental health of persons with ID, have so far been dealt with by the medications administering or by applying techniques of behavioral modification. The main obstacles in obtaining psychological treatment for persons with ID are negative attitudes, physical and financial barriers, and insufficient education of psychotherapists on intellectual disability. In this work, the main findings in regard to the outcomes of treatments of persons with ID upon applying behavioral therapies, individual and group psychodynamic therapies, cognitive-behavioral therapies, cognitive therapies, counseling and systemic family therapies are presented. The results indicate that the service of psychological work with persons with ID has yet to be improved.