Authors
Dorte Bærentzen^1
1Hillerød, Denmark, Psychotherapist specializing in EMDR therapy

Studies show, that people with intellectual disabilities are 2-3 times more likely to develop trauma and PTSD than the rest of the population. This is partly because they have fewer protective strategies and because they are more easily victimized, by people who are themselves intellectually disabled, as well as episodes of abuse from caregivers they trust. Unfortunately, this is also a group of people who are rarely offered trauma therapy, because there is too little knowledge about successful therapy forms and trauma reactions, in people with intellectual disabilities.
I receive increasingly inquiries from families who want treatment for their relatives. Relatives have been searching for the right trauma therapy for their loved ones for years, but have been met with statements such as: "It can't help because your language is not developed enough," "You will become psychotic if you have to talk about the experience," "It's best to leave the past behind," and many more rejections.

It is my experience that with a modified EMDR approach, it is possible to help these people. I do not believe it is ill will when people with intellectual disabilities are not offered the right treatment. I believe it is about ignorance of trauma therapy and ignorance of trauma symptoms, in people with intellectual disabilities. They are often misdiagnosed as their behavior is assessed rather than the background of the behavior.
I have treated people with intellectual disabilities, with an adapted EMDR approach and with very good results. It is my hope, that together we can inform about these good treatment options for people with intellectual disabilities and thereby provide a better quality of life, for victims of trauma.