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Counselling Support for People with Intellectual Disabilities: The Use of Narrative Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2012

Stuart Wark
Stuart Wark*
Affiliation:
School of Rural Medicine, University of New England and The Ascent Group, Armidale, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Stuart Wark, School of Rural Medicine, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351, Australia. E-mail: swark@ascentgroup.org.au
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Abstract

This article uses a descriptive case study design to examine the potential of narrative therapy as a direct intervention for adults with moderate-to-severe intellectual disabilities, autism and/or severe communication limitations. Archival clinical data on four individuals who received a form of social constructionist narrative therapy are examined for goal attainment. The data were analysed qualitatively with specific input from individuals, their families and carers. Findings indicate improvements in quality of life through reductions in situational and environmental anxieties, and in coping with grief and loss. The results suggest that narrative therapy techniques can be beneficial in assisting individuals with severe intellectual disability to achieve meaningful and persistent improvements in their life.

Keywords

narrative therapycounsellingintellectual disabilityautismcommunication
Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , July 2012 , pp. 37 - 49
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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