Association for Behavior Analysis International

Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities often face complex issues when addressing their mental and behavioral health needs. Frequently, co-occurring issues within mental health diagnosis and Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD), go over looked and are underserved. Examples include clients with co-occurring diagnoses such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, and Substance use Issues in conjunction with an ID/DD diagnosis. This panel will present a collaborative treatment approach for adults with ID/DD and a mental health diagnosis. The focus is on bridging the gap between mental health issues and behavioral health issues. The panel will identify signs that the client may need mental health and possibly substance use treatment, in addition to Applied Behavior Analysis services. The treatment team includes mental health, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and nursing providers. The model being presented incorporates mental health treatment approaches such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy special skills, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, in conjunction with ABA services. They will address how an interdisciplinary team can work with a client and other supporting providers to treat the whole person. This presentation can provide a model for an underserved adult population with co-occurring disorders.

Individuals interested in working with adults with co-occurring ID/DD, mental health diagnosis, and possible substance use issues are encouraged to attend. Crisis intervention with the most challenging clients who are at risk for losing their housing (e.g. group home, ILF, B&C), transiting from Developmental Institutions, frequently hospitalized, or frequent police interactions. A pilot program and treatment will be presented.