About This Assessment
This assessment is based on findings from the study “Assessment of the Component Skills for Cognitive Therapy in Adults with Intellectual Disability”. The study explored whether individuals with intellectual disabilities possess the foundational skills needed to benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
The research identified several key cognitive and emotional skills necessary for engaging in CBT:
- Understanding and labeling emotions (e.g., happy, sad, afraid)
- Linking emotions to events (e.g., feeling sad after losing something)
- Recognizing how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors (cognitive mediation)
- Basic language comprehension and expression
The study found that many individuals with intellectual disabilities had difficulty with these tasks, especially when the emotional or cognitive content was complex or abstract. However, some participants were able to demonstrate these skills, particularly when visual aids and simplified language were used.
This assessment helps identify which component skills are present and which may need to be taught or supported before CBT can be effectively used. It supports a step-wise approach to therapy, where foundational skills are developed first.
Use: This tool is intended for use by caregivers, therapists, or educators working with adults with intellectual disabilities to determine readiness for CBT and to guide individualized support planning.
