Staying in the here-and-now: a pilot study on the use of dialectical behaviour therapy group skills training for forensic clients with intellectual disability.

Six adults with intellectual disability lived in a secure forensic unit. They joined a 13-week DBT skills group. Staff taught mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion rules, and social skills. The team measured risk, strengths, and daily living skills before and after the course. No control group was used.

After the course, risk scores dropped and strengths rose. Global living skills also improved. All six adults finished every session. The gains were large enough to matter in daily life.

Ferreri et al. (2011) ran a similar CBT group in a vocational school. Teens with borderline IQ gained social problem-solving skills. Both studies show CBT-style groups work for people with ID.

Higgins et al. (2021) used short BST lessons with detained youth. They saw fast gains in following staff directions. Jones et al. (2010) used longer DBT lessons with forensic adults. Both got quick, strong results.

Kellett et al. (2015) also adapted CBT for adults with mild ID. They treated hoarding in clients’ homes. Jones et al. (2010) treated risk behaviors in a secure unit. Same method, different targets. Together they show CBT can be shaped for many adult ID needs.

You can run a DBT skills group in a locked unit and see real change. Use short, plain language. Add role play and praise. Track risk and strengths each week. If you serve adults with ID and challenging behavior, this pilot gives you a ready-made 13-week plan.