Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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A process of decision-making support: exploring supported decision-making practice in Canada
- Authors:
- BROWNING Michelle, BIGBY Christine, DOUGLAS Jacinta
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 46(2), 2021, pp.138-149.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Canada was the first country to develop legal mechanisms that allow for supported decision making, and little research has explored how decision making is supported in this context. This research aimed to understand how seven people with intellectual disabilities, living in two Canadian provinces, were supported with their decision making. Method: The research used constructivist grounded theory methodology, interviewing and observing the decision making of seven people with mild to severe intellectual disabilities and 25 decision supporters. Results: A common process of decision-making support was discovered, involving dynamic interaction between the person’s will and preferences and supporters’ responses. This interaction was influenced by five factors: the experiences and attributes the person and their supporter brought to the process; the quality of their relationship; the decision-making environment and the nature and consequences of the decision. Conclusion: The highly individualised and contextually dependent nature of decision-making support has implications for supported decision-making practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
Dedifferentiation and people with intellectual disabilities in the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme: bringing research, politics and policy together
- Author:
- BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 45(4), 2020, pp.309-319.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Dedifferentiated policy treats adults with intellectual disabilities as part of the larger group of people with disabilities. The implications of the dedifferentiated National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for adults with intellectual disabilities are explored. Methods: Analysis of peer reviewed and grey literature between 2014 and 2020 about design of the NDIS and outcomes. Results: Many participants experienced problems with NDIS implementation. Outcomes for adults with intellectual disabilities compared poorly to other groups. They were disadvantaged by standardised planning processes relying on self-expressed needs and omission of supported decision making. As the NDIS matures, it is becoming more differentiated but issues relevant to adults with intellectual disability remain largely invisible. Conclusions: Further shifts towards standardised planning and functional assessment may be disadvantageous for adults with intellectual disabilities for whom support needs are dependent on social and contextual factors, and exercise of choice on support for decision making. (Edited publisher abstract)
Conceptualizing inclusive research with people with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, FRAWLEY Patsie, RAMCHARAN Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27(1), 2013, pp.3-12.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A comprehensive review of the peer reviewed literature and key texts was undertaken to more clearly conceptualize inclusive research with people with intellectual disability and identify the issues associated with ways of approaching it. Three approaches to inclusive research were identified: advisory, leading and controlling, and collaborative group. Using the literature and the authors' own experience, each approach is illustrated and discussed. A clearer conceptual framework is developed to guide researchers and administrators as they consider inclusive research and its feasibility to particular research questions. A strong self-advocacy movement is identified as one of the conditions necessary for inclusive research to flourish. (Edited publisher abstract)
Why are conferences "Sometimes about us, without us"?
- Authors:
- FRAWLEY Patsie, BIGBY Christine, FORSYTH Heather
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 31(4), December 2006, pp.249-251.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In this article the authors identify a number of issues, and make suggestions, of how to make conferences about people with learning disabilities to be more accessible to people with learning disabilities. The article is based on their involvement with the Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability (ASSID) National Conferences.
Shifting responsibilities: the patterns of formal service use by older people with intellectual disability in Victoria
- Author:
- BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 23(3), September 1998, pp.229-243.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
As adults with intellectual disability age and inevitably lose support provided by parents, many will become more reliant on formal services. Potentially they can utilise both the aged care and the disability service systems, although neither have explicit policies in relation to this group. This qualitative study in Australia examined the patterns of service use by older people with intellectual disability.
Dimensions of group home culture as predictors of quality of life outcomes
- Authors:
- HUMPHREYS Lincoln, BIGBY Christine, IACONO Teresa
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(6), 2020, pp.1284-1295.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Research has shown that there is variability in quality of life (QOL) outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities who live in group homes. The aim was to examine dimensions of group home culture as predictors of QOL outcomes. Method: The Group Home Culture Scale (GHCS) was used to measure staff perceptions of culture in 23 group homes. QOL data were available from 98 people with intellectual disabilities. Multilevel modelling was used to examine the associations between the GHCS subscales and four QOL‐dependent variables. Results: Of the GHCS subscales, Effective Team Leadership and Alignment of Staff with Organizational Values significantly predicted residents’ engagement in activities. Supporting Well‐Being significantly predicted residents’ community involvement. None of the GHCS subscales significantly predicted domestic participation and choice making. Conclusions: The findings suggest that strategies to improve Effective Team Leadership and Supporting Well‐Being dimensions of culture may contribute to enhancing certain QOL outcomes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Providing support for decision making to adults with intellectual disability: perspectives of family members and workers in disability support services
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, WHITESIDE Mary, DOUGLAS Jacinta
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 44(4), 2019, pp.396-409.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Supporting people with intellectual disability to make decisions is an important issue for policy implementation yet there is little evidence about the practice of providing support. Method: This study aimed to understand the experiences of family members and disability support workers in providing support to adults with intellectual disability in Victoria, Australia. Twenty-three people drawn from these two groups participated in individual or focus group interviews. Results: Three major themes emerged from inductive thematic analysis: their ideas about decision support, approaches to support, and challenges they faced. Overall these revolved around juggling rights, practicalities, and risks. Conclusions: This study identified some of the challenges and practical strategies for providing decision support that can be used to inform practice and capacity building resources for supporters. (Publisher abstract)
Improving quality of life outcomes in supported accommodation for people with intellectual disability: what makes a difference?
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, BEADLE-BROWN Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(2), 2018, pp.e182-e200.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The quality of life (QOL) of people with intellectual disability living in supported accommodation services is variable, influenced by many possible factors. Various frameworks have attempted to identify these factors without assigning value, direction of influence or relative impact on outcomes. Methods: A realist review of the literature aimed to expose different propositions about variables influencing QOL outcomes and review the strength of supporting evidence for these, to identify their relative influence. Evidence was reviewed for and against each of five clusters. Results: Evidence was strongest for the presence of staff practices (use of Active Support), front-line management practice (use of practice leadership), culture (enabling and motivating), human resources policies and practice (that support front-line leaders and recruitment of staff with the right values), adequate resources, and small, dispersed and homelike settings. Conclusions: The evidence informs policy and practice but in some clusters remains limited, warranting further research which measures outcomes on all QOL domains. (Publisher abstract)
Critical realism in social work research: examining participation of people with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- CRAIG Diane, BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 68(3), 2015, pp.309-323.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Critical realism has not been taken up readily within social work research and this may be due to the difficulty of the language and lack of practice examples of its applicability. This paper outlines the basic precepts of critical realism, the implications of these for methodology, and then offers a practical example of its application to social work research in the area of intellectual disability using some of the techniques of more familiar qualitative research methodologies. In response to the increased influence of poststructuralist ideas within social work along with the somewhat contradictory call for evidence-based practice, this paper suggests critical realism as a way of developing empirically based knowledge about the effects of interventions while at the same time accounting for the complexity involved in social work practice. (Publisher abstract)
Social inclusion and people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour: a systematic review
- Author:
- BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 37(4), December 2012, pp.360-374.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Noting that the high risk of social exclusion for people with intellectual disability is compounded for those with challenging behaviour, this systematic literature review examined how social inclusion of people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour has been researched and operationalised in the literature. It also aimed to explore the evidence about the extent of social inclusion of this group. 14 papers reporting community inclusion outcomes for people with challenging behaviour were identified through database searches, and thematic analysis was used to synthesise and interpret the findings. The article includes a table summarising the key features of the studies included in the review. It reports that the analysis found that social inclusion had been poorly defined and measured, and that the little research that had occurred in respect of people with challenging behaviour had demonstrated their potential to be socially included. The author discusses the implications of the findings, with particular reference to practice in Australia.