Working with IDD/low IQ
Hey all, I need help. I'm currently working as a clinician at an inpatient juvenile psychiatric center, working to stabilize kids who come in for suicidal ideation/homicidal/self harm. I've been working in mental health for minimum 5 years now, but usually in community and outreach therapy. Currently, my hospital has admitted a youth to me who has an IQ of 41. I have background in CBT, DBT, and working with kids with suicidal ideation and self harm. I am completely out of my depth with ABA and working with kids who have such high cognitive support needs. I'm reaching a breaking point- I have no clue how to interface with them. We do tracing pictures, naming colors, but they're fixated on going home and unable to comprehend anything going around in their vicinity (or, if they are capable, unable to process it). I know this is all normal and expected for someone with their level of needs, but they are struggling with some severe aggression and are unable to get home due her behavior not subsiding. A lot of this needs to be fixed with meds, which we have been figuring out for the past few months. I need help. How do you all handle/interface with kids like this? Is anyone with history of working with this population able to give me any tips?
Thanks in advance.
Posted Jan 19, 2026, 5:32 PM UTC