The Use of Modified Cognitive Therapy to Eliminate or Reduce Depression among Persons with Intellectual Disabilities: A Case Study

There is a high prevalence rate of depression among persons with intellectual disabilities. However, persons with intellectual disabilities can benefit from appropriate cognitive interventions, an effective treatment for depression, despite their cognitive limitations. One such applicable intervention is a modified cognitive intervention that separates false ideas from reality (S), then puts things into perspective (PP), and finally aids the client retain healthy thinking (R) and discard faulty thinking (D) (SPPRD). This case study investigated SPPRD’s outcome in reducing depression in a client with intellectual disability. The SPPRD frame was used to correct the participant’s faulty thinking in a weekly session, about one hour every week for five weeks. Results of the weekly depression evaluations and one time QOL- related evaluation at the fifth week indicate the participant’s level of depression was reduced and his QOL improved after the intervention.