How can a Psychologist help people with disabilities?
A psychologist may work with people with disability and other members of that person’s disability team to assess and understand the client’s unique strengths and abilities.
Depending on the presenting issue, psychologists will work to help people improve their lives or achieve goals that clients have set for themselves.
What a psychologist does
Psychologists generally start their approach by completing an assessment and understanding the needs of the client.
Assessment may be for a variety of purposes, including:
- Formal diagnosis (e.g. Autism, Intellectual disability)
- Identifying Functional Capacity
- Academic progress
- Mental Health
The psychologist may assess clients with disabilities to progress in these areas:
- Learning, thinking, and problem-solving
- Play skills (for child clients)
- Social skills
- Emotional literacy and regulation skills
- Behavioural challenges
- Skills for independence
- General Wellbeing
The aim of our assessment process is to formulate an understanding of the presenting issues that will guide the best course of intervention.
Ways of working
Psychologists may work in a 1:1 therapeutic manner with a client and/or their family, or they may work in other ways to support clients.
Within a disability framework, it is also common for Psychologists to provide consultation to the system around a client (e.g. teachers, allied health professionals, carers, support workers) rather than providing 1:1 intervention.
Psychologists may provide an assessment-only service, providing recommendations for others in the care team to implement.
Intervention
Psychologists may assist people with disabilities in a variety of presenting issues. Some include:
- Adjustment to disability
- Challenging behaviours
- Communication
- Coping skills
- Play skills
- Social Skill
- Development of self-care skills (e.g toileting, dressing, eating, sleeping)
- Parenting support
- Transition planning
We use evidence-based interventions to assist people in achieving their goals and outcomes. This may vary depending on the reasons that people are seeking assistance.
Want to find out more? Feel free to contact us on 6381 0071 to see how we can help you or your family member.