Assessing and Treating Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the assessment and treatment of offenders with intellectual disabilities (OIDs). There is a rich history regarding this topic. The chapter begins with an overview of the frequency and prevalence of OIDs in various countries and various sorts of offending behavior. It then looks briefly at various theoretical models relevant to service delivery. The chapter then reviews diagnostic and assessment issues as well as relevant interventions in the correctional context. Assessment of OIDs is important to determine the dynamic treatment needs of the offender, as well as which treatment methodology should be used based on evidence of treatment efficacy. J. R. Wheeler et al., (see record [rid]2014-25058-002[/rid]) found that protective factors against recidivism could include the quality of relationships, quality of home life and daily activities. If assessments are able to determine these and other protective factors in offenders with intellectual disabilities perhaps treatment and interventions can be more specially targeted for these individuals to help decrease overall recidivism rates. The chapter ends with conclusory notes and two short sections first, on future implications and, second, regarding some of the recent efforts in terms of innovative technological applications with OIDs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)