Overview

Renew your APS membership or join in the 2026–27 membership year to receive this activity free as part of a CPD package featuring 75+ activities with 160+ hours of learning - valued at over $4,000 for non-members. This activity will be open for enrolment from 5 August 2026 until 31 May 2027. How to join | APS

Series: Intellectual disability

This 2-part webinar series aims to up-skill early career and experienced psychologists in intellectual disability. Each webinar will have a clear focus on a relevant area of interest for psychologists working across the lifespan. 

This series includes the following webinars:

1. Psychological and cognitive vulnerabilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities and the criminal justice system

2. Treatment for adults with an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment presenting with challenging/offending behaviours

This is the second webinar in the series and it will:

• review the literature on psychological therapies provided for people with intellectual disabilities and the more traditional therapeutic modalities such as behaviour modification or behavioural skills training and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and their limitations with this client group,

• introduce more novel approaches and rehabilitation models such as the use of adapted Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and the Good Lives Model, particularly with clients with intellectual disabilities with challenging/offending behaviours, and

• provide an opportunity for participants to learn some DBT skills that they can utilise in individual treatment.

Level of Learning

Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those who have some previous learning on the topic.

Duration of access

Access to the recording and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration. Please note that access cannot be extended, and participants should plan to complete the activity within this period.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details

• On-demand webinar recording

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• develop knowledge and understanding of evidence-based interventions for adults with intellectual disability with challenging and/or offending behaviours,

• develop knowledge and skills on the use of more novel approaches such as the use of adapted Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Good Lives Model, and

• apply some of the learnings from this webinar in clinical practice.

Presenter(s)

Dr Joseph Sakdalan MAPS

About the presenter(s)

Dr Joseph Sakdalan is an NZ and AHPRA registered clinical psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist. He has over 25 years of clinical experience in providing assessment and treatment to clients with complex presentations (e.g.,developmental disorders, acquired brain injury and other neurological disorders, mental illness, personality disorder and offending behaviours, etc.). Dr Sakdalan has pioneered the development of treatment programs for clients with intellectual disabilities presenting with challenging and/or offending behaviours which are being implemented locally and internationally. He has run training workshops locally and internationally and published peer reviewed journals in his area of specialties.  Dr Sakdalan currently works part-time as a Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Problem Behaviour Program, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Forensicare. He has extensive experience in preparing court-ordered reports and giving expert testimony in NZ and Australia. Dr Sakdalan also works as a part-time Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the Cairnmillar Institute in Victoria, Australia.