Case-Study: Mentalization-Based Treatment, A Time-Limited Approach, for A Boy with A Mild Intellectual Disability and Trauma

Abstract

In this article, we present a clinical example of Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children (MBT-C) for the treatment of a boy with mild intellectual disability (MID). In the book about MBT-C a Time Limited approach [1] this treatment appeared to be very effective for children with an average IQ. Children with MID can also benefit from this treatment method. Dekker - van der Sande and Stekelenburg [2] emphasized the importance of mentalization promoting guidance for children with visual and intellectual disabilities. However, there are still few case studies of MBT-C in children with MID. A child with MID is identified as having an IQ score between 50-85 in combination with significant limitations in their (social) adaptive functioning. Children with MID learn primarily through experience and repetition and are less verbal compared to other children. This article employs a case study to demonstrate how an MBT-C therapist can properly attune this treatment method to children with MID.