Adapting Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children with Intellectual Disabilities: Development and Feasibility Evaluation of the Fearless Me! © Program
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2019
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𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Nearly half of children with an intellectual disability (ID) have comorbid mental health disorders. These problems are chronic if left untreated and can significantly impact upon future vocational, education and social opportunities. Despite this, there is a paucity of research into effective treatments for this population. Notably, one of the most supported psychological therapies, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), remains largely uninvestigated in children with ID. The aim of this body of research was to develop and evaluate an adapted CBT program for children with mild to moderate ID and anxiety disorders.
𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱: The development and evaluation of an adapted CBT program followed guidelines for complex interventions. This involved an initial review of the existing literature, to understand the neuropsychological profile of children with ID and adapt therapy according to deficits. Relevant stakeholders were also involved in the development process: clinicians were surveyed and parents of children with ID asked to provide feedback about their child’s ability to engage in CBT. This led to the development of the Fearless Me! © cognitive behavioural therapy program, which was then evaluated for feasibility and effectiveness.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀: The initial review of literature and feedback from relevant stakeholders informed the adaptations to CBT in order to meet the unique learning needs of children with ID. The Fearless Me! © program was found to be feasible and acceptable among a non-clinical sample. Within a clinical sample of anxious children, all children benefited from significant reductions in anxiety or the impact and interference anxiety had on their life, as rated by either the child or the caregiver.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: The Fearless Me © program is a developmentally informed adapted CBT program, designed to fill part of the gap in evidence and resources, and to create an accessible tool for clinicians and clients to use. Preliminary research suggests that adapted CBT and the Fearless Me! © program shows promising results and is associated with positive changes in anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents with mild to moderate ID. The positive results of the current research support the future use of CBT and the Fearless Me! © program among children and adolescents with ID.
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