Positive Identity Development: An Alternative Treatment Approach for Individuals with Mild and Moderate Intellectual Disabilities

Citation

Harvey, K. (2011), "Positive Identity Development: An Alternative Treatment Approach for Individuals with Mild and Moderate Intellectual Disabilities", Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 5 No. 6, pp. 57-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/amhid.2011.5.6.57.1

This book is in three sections and introduces an approach called positive identity development (PID). The book starts with positive psychological approaches and the theory that underpins them, with Chapter 1 describing three case studies that demonstrates the approach on complex cases that had in many ways given up on. The case studies illustrate the central philosophy of the approach, i.e. working on the individual's identity as they rather than others see themselves, by redefining negative connotations that have built around the individual.

In terms of using the approach this book not only aims to demonstrate how positive change may be facilitated through PID, but gives access to the therapist a number of tools to equip them to work with people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities using PID.

This book is not only of value to those wanting to know more or want to adopt PID within their services, but for anyone that embraces person centres care. The book works to correct current thinking, i.e. to see people as people rather than a label. It is pointed out that the term “Developmental Disabilities” is often so powerful that it is how the person is viewed and becomes their social identity or marker, making it difficult for anyone not close to the person to make any positive associations in what they know the individual for. In Chapters 2 and 3, the author provides the theoretical underpinning that has developed PID and examines concepts of identity, meaning and happiness before explaining the assessment process which is well thought out and incorporates a psychological needs survey and looks at the issues of avoidance and behavioural issues by reframing them into choice and emotional communication this allows difficult issues to be approached. The assessment covers a wide range of areas including possible antecedents, what makes the person happy with the aim to encourage them to focus on their true worth to others. The final part of the assessment examines issues of change in a number of domains from personal feelings to major life events. Chapter 4 details the making of a plan and the importance of a good history to gain a greater understanding of current and past issues. In building a positive self identity, history is used as a therapeutic tool and in dealing with someone there are usually choices that can be made, e.g. is confrontation avoidable and what are the adverse consequences comment on avoidable confrontation and the safe dealing with aggression. The assessment also produces plans to address the issues explored such as happiness and change. Other items included are the values chart which the individual completes and which is designed to strengthen their “appreciation of life, forgiveness of others, valuing of self, and goals for future positive interaction.” The book makes it clear that PID is a team effort that requires support around the person outlining the importance of staff training developed around the need to understand people through empathy rather than a process through skills, sensitivity and scenario‐based training, which is reproduced in the book along with exercises.

Part 2 of the book examines the settings and approach and offers examples of interactions using person centres plans in terms of the settings, structure and assistance from others required. It examines a number of issues such as loss, PTSD which are often overlooked in this group. The book also looks at a number of issues that become a problem for people such as addictions and uses the concept of recovery in attempts to address what this means for people with intellectual disabilities. The final part of the book is a useful resource of materials for implementing PID in terms of assessment documents for the therapist and worksheets for the individual for them to participate in their own words to tell their story, which can be adapted for individual use.

In conclusion, this book does well in what it sets out to do and I would recommend it for those using PID. For those wanting to know more about the approach and for anyone working with people with intellectual disabilities in a person centred way would find also find the book of interest; and even though they may not totally embrace the overall concept, many of the techniques used would be useful to those delivering psychological‐based interventions.

Eddie Chaplin

Eddie Chaplin is a Research and Strategy Lead, Estia Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King's College, London, UK.