Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Abuse

People with an intellectual disability (PWID) are at far greater risk of experiencing adverse and traumatic events arising from a multitude of factors. The current chapter provides a broad overview of the risk factors, both general and specific, to PWID that leads to various psychological sequelae. Special consideration is given to the importance of engaging in a broad and encompassing assessment that draws from a range of sources in being able to differentiate and accurately identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in addition to common comorbid difficulties that may overshadow accurate assessment. Recent literature is also summarized that provides promising, albeit tentative, evidence for the effectiveness of modified treatments that target trauma symptoms.