Psychological First Aid for people with intellectual disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse

Psychological First Aid for people with intellectual disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse. A structured, step by step Psychological First Aid tool for people with Intellectual disabilities, their families and... [ view full abstract ]

Psychological First Aid for people with intellectual disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse. 
A structured, step by step Psychological First Aid tool for people with Intellectual disabilities, their families and their caregivers.

People with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse. The discovery of sexual abuse is a very stressful event for everybody who is involved ( victim, parents and caregivers). Research shows that Psychological First Aid is an effective way to help people to manage distress and adversities in order to help them to cope with overwhelming stress reactions. Generally many children with disabilities do not receive adequate services after abuse because a lack of knowledge and skills to adress the needs of these people.

This tool provides a step-by-step program and background information about people with developmental disabilities, trauma en sexual abuse. It contains 4 sessions for parents, carers and people with developmental disabilities themselves to support them immediately in dealing with the early reactions after the abuse. The 3-th session is a joint session with the professional caregivers, parents and the victim in order to enhance the communication, stop the isolation and empower the people involved.
The program is practise based and easy to adjust to fit the needs of people with severe, moderate and mild developmental disabilities. 

The workshop will introduce the participants to the key apsects of the program and  the needs of children with disabilities and their caregivers and families in the immediate aftermath of abuse and teach them how to apply the different tools. Participants will practice using the program and learn what to do if the victim and the family need more help than the programme can offer.