Intellectually limited parents
Parents in the low average range of intellectual
functioning and their children have been able to
benefit from PCIT. For the intellectually limited
parent, the PCIT therapist must simplify the vocabulary
and the sentence structure of the PCIT
skills. For example, “reflection” is called “repeating”
and the “if-then” statements are changed to
statements of choice. The parent also is given more
time and repetition in learning the skills of CDI and
PDI. During the teaching sessions, the therapist
uses “Mr Bear,” a large teddy bear that plays the role
of the child in role-play practice. More than one
teaching session may be conducted before beginning
coaching sessions to allow repeated role-play
practice of skills that are particularly difficult for the
parent. More parent-child coaching sessions are used
as well, usually spaced at twice-weekly intervals to
aid retention between sessions. Parents are given
simplified handouts for their use before home practice
sessions. Although treatment progresses more
slowly with parents who are intellectually limited,
these parents can learn to use CDI and PDI effectively
to improve their relationship with their child and
improve their child’s behavior.