The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities (FPLD) has produced a guide on ways to adapt the internationally recognised and World Health Organisation endorsed FRIENDS for Life programme to help children and young people with learning disabilities to manage their feelings better.
Although children and young people with learning disabilities have higher rates of emotional and behavioural problems than their peers without learning disabilities, research shows they have less access to services and support.
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities worked with Rowena Rossiter, Clinical Psychologist, in collaboration with Hazel Court School and the CAMHS-LD Family Intensive Support Service in Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust on a small development project to enable the FRIENDS for Life programme to be accessible for children and young people with learning disabilities. The adaptations were planned to consist of simplified materials with high visual and low verbal content to make the sessions more meaningful.