Psychological intervention for people with learning disabilities who have experienced bereavement: a case study illustration

Abstract

Summary The evidence base for interventions for people with learning disabilities who have experienced a bereavement is sparse. This article reviews current theoretical understandings of bereavement and loss and describes the assessment, formulation and psychological treatment of a woman with learning disabilities with close reference to these understandings. A psychological intervention is described, which utilizes both psycho‐educational and psychodynamic approaches.

How Adults With an Intellectual Disability Experience Bereavement and Grief: A Qualitative Exploration

“…A number of resources are now available to help with this (e.g. Hollins, Sireling, & Webb, 2004;Read et al, 1999;Summers & Witts, 2003) and there is some evidence that prior education about the concept of death can improve the knowledge and attitudes of PWID about this topic (Yanok & Beifus, 1993).…”

“…Despite the existence of a range of therapeutic interventions for grief (e.g. Persaud & Persaud, 1997;Summers & Witts, 2003) participants' primary need was not for formal intervention, but rather to be given the opportunity to be heard. It may be, however, that carers are reluctant to take on this role (Dowling et al, 2006).…”

Conceptualising bereavement in profound and multiple learning disabilities

“…These considerations have led to a number of suggestions for support. For example, by integrating the principles of attachment (Klein, 1940;Bowlby, 1981) and bereavement theory (Freud, 1917;Parkes, 1996), Summers and Witts (2003) provide a Running head: CONCEPTUALISING LOSS IN PMLD 7 theoretical framework for understanding grief and loss for Joanne, a woman with moderate to severe LD following the death of her father. Her experiences of early abuse and insecure attachment relationships led to a number of hypotheses regarding her experience of bereavement, including complicated grieving.…”

Psychological interventions for people with intellectual disability and mental health problems

“…A combination of psycho-educational and psychodynamic approaches was utilized in the treatment of bereavement in a woman with moderate to severe intellectual disability [10]. Significant behavior problems were noted following the death of her father.…”