100734: Relationship Disruption in Adults with Cognitive Disabilities

About the Course:

Adults with cognitive disabilities living in group homes face special challenges in establishing and maintaining friendships, and in coping when they are disrupted-for example, when a housemate moves to a different level of care, or a staff member quits or is dismissed. On the basis of a smaller-scale qualitative study, this article raises concerns about the frequency of such disruptions-their psychological and social effects in the lives of people with limited cognitive abilities and limited social support. It also highlights a number of difficulties for participants in telling their stories of loss and suggests steps that agencies, social workers, and family members can take to support significant relationships for people with cognitive disabilites, even when disruptions are unavoidable. COURSE SYLLABUS I. Introduction II. Method III. Findings IV. Discussion V. Implications VI. Conclusion

Journal/Publisher:

Families in Society (Alliance for Children and Families)

Publication Date:

2004/ Vol. 85, No. 2

Authors

Vicki M. Runnion, MSSW, CSW, LMSW; Terry Wolfer, PhD

About the Authors:

Hospice of Southern Indiana

College of Social Work University of South Carolina

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about adults with cognitive disabilities. It is appropriate for participants with all levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. Describe potential concerns regarding relationship disruptions occuring in the lives of adults with cognitive disabilities.

2. Identify difficulties that cognitively disabled persons may have in narrating and emotionally processing relationship losses.

3. Describe steps that agencies, social workers, and family members can take to support significant relationships for cognitively disabled persons.