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Positive Identity Development and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

I recenlty listened to a telephone seminar by Karyn Harvey, PhD, regarding positive identity development with people with intellectual disabilities. Based on positive psychology (the work of Seligman) and Erikson, Karyn offers a wonderful treatment meathod that can easily be meshed into the Recovery Model, as well as more “traditional” models used with DD clients, such as the Behavioral Model.

In her seminar, Karyn spoke briefly about her book, Positive Identity Development: An alternative treatment approach for individuals with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities, published through the NADD. She also offers free downloadable worksheets, which are excellent. Here are the topics available:

  • Psychological Needs Survey
  • Happiness Assessment
  • Change Inventory
  • Behavior Planning Template
  • My Book About Myself!
  • My Goodbye Book
  • My Book About Recovery!
  • My Book About Solving My Problem
  • My Book About Making a Difference!
  • My Book About My Relationship
  • My Book About My Addiction




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    Creativity Explored—SF

    Creativity Explored, a non profit located in San Francisco, is a studio for developmentally disabled artists. The artists are taught by other professional artists, and their work is sold in the Creativity Explored galley, as well as during art exhibitions.

    It’s a wonderful place to visit and the artwork is stunning. In fact, some of the artwork has been purchased by CB2, a furniture company, and is currently for sale on pillows and handbags. A percentage of each of these three items sold will go directly to Creativity Explored…how much of a percentage, I don’t know.

    You can also purchase artwork and related Creativity Explored products online. According to the webiste, 50% of the procedes go directly to the artist. The other half, I’m assuming, goes back into the non profit organization itself.