Background: Sensitive responsiveness is an important aspect in affect-regulation of people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. Aim: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the Attune & Stimulate-checklist, a tool for detecting subtle and idiosyncratic communicative behaviours and responding adequately. Methods: Effects on the…

Background: Virtual mindfulness may be helpful for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the context of COVID-related disruptions of in-person programming, such as Special Olympics (SO). This study examined the feasibility of a virtual mindfulness intervention for SO athletes and their caregivers. Method: SO athletes (n = 44) and their…

Background: Family carers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at increased risk of stress and often face barriers to accessing appropriate supports. Peer support can enhance the effects of well-being interventions, yet research is limited regarding family carers' experiences within peer support roles. Method:…

Background: Staff supporting people with intellectual disabilities may experience work-related stress that adversely impacts their wellbeing and capacity to provide support. Acceptance and Commitment Training interventions like Promotion of Acceptance in Carers and Teachers (PACT) have been shown to be effective for reducing stress and promoting…

Background: Therapeutic untruths (TU) are used in dementia services to de-escalate distressing situations. The present authors explored the use of TU by care staff supporting people with an intellectual disability who displayed behaviours that challenged. Method: Data were collected from 126 staff (female = 72.2%; mean age = 41.9 years, SD = 10.7)…

Background: Numbers of people with an intellectual disability and dementia present a global health and social challenge with associated need to reduce stress or agitation and improve quality of life in affected individuals. This study aimed to identify effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in social care settings and, uniquely, explore use…

Background: The study explored the use of a robot-mediated therapeutic intervention in persons with visual and intellectual disabilities. Method: Three robot-mediated intervention sessions were developed to teach three coping skills for worrying. Effectiveness was examined using a multiple-baseline case study design (N = 7). Baseline,…

Background: Solution-focused coaching (SFC) helps individuals or groups to achieve their preferred outcomes by evoking and co-constructing solutions. SFC has been shown to be helpful for persons with ID as well as for teams coaching people with ID. Nominal Group Technique (NGT) helps to organize people's thoughts with regard to a single question.…

Background: Cognitive representations of challenging behaviour among staff may influence therapeutic outcomes. This study looked at how cognitive dimensions of Identity, Cause, Consequences, Emotional Reaction and Treatment/Control are affected by training. Materials and Methods: A theoretically derived questionnaire was used to measure the impact…

Background: Sexual abuse has been associated with trauma, low self-esteem, anger, depression and challenging behaviours. This pilot study builds on a small published literature by evaluating a survivors group (SG) for women with an intellectual disability and an educational support group (ESG) for their carers. Method: The SG was delivered weekly…

Background: Care staff play a key role in identifying individuals with intellectual disabilities and additional mental health problems. Yet, few receive training in mental health, and evidence about the effectiveness of training is scant. Materials and Methods: A pre-post study is reported, using a mental health screen and a self-report…

Aim: This study examined the responses of care managers and direct care staff to vignettes of inappropriate sexual behaviour (ISB) by a man with an intellectual disability. The aim was to identify psychological factors that influenced their assessment of risk and the perceived need for risk management strategies. Method: The vignettes varied in…