Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 5 of 5
Screening for psychiatric disorders in a total population of adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour using the PAS-ADD checklist
- Authors:
- ALLEN David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(4), July 2012, pp.342-349.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The nature of the relationship between psychiatric disorders and challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities is the subject of debate; a picture that is confused by challenging behaviour itself sometimes being classified as a form of psychiatric disorder. The authors explore this relationship in a population sample of adults with challenging behaviour. More than 800 service settings in a defined geographical area in Wales were screened to identify individuals with challenging behaviour. Detailed behavioural data, Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with a Developmental Disability (PAS-ADD) checklist and Adaptive Behaviour Scale (Part 1) scores were collected for 76% of the 930 adults identified. Just under 17% of participants reached threshold scores on one on more subscales of the PAS-ADD checklist. There was some evidence of increasing behavioural severity being associated with increasing psychiatric symptoms but there were no associations between specific forms of challenging behaviour and individual symptoms. The authors conclude that these data support previous suggestions that it is unlikely that the majority of challenging behaviours in adults with intellectual disability are underpinned by psychiatric disorders.
The All Wales Learning Disability Strategy: current status and implications for people with current status and implications for people with mental health needs or severe challenging behaviour
- Authors:
- FELCE David, ALLEN David
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, 1(1), March 2007, pp.33-36.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article briefly summarises the main Welsh policy principles that apply to all people with learning disabilities, including those with mental health needs or severe challenging behaviour. The authors briefly review progress in supporting people with complex behavioural needs, reflect on areas where development in practice has not lived up to policy rhetoric and also examine the consequences of this policy to practice gap. The authors then describe current barriers to further service development. Finally they suggest a number of changes that are necessary for the current inadequacies to be resolved.
Changing the face of challenging behaviour services: the Special Projects Team
- Authors:
- ALLEN David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 34(4), December 2006, pp.237-242.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The background to a unique initiative for people with challenging behaviour in Wales is described. The Special Projects Team (SPT) was established in the context of increasing knowledge of effective treatment responses, but lack of widespread expertise as well as growing crisis within challenging behaviour services. Unlike previous innovative approaches, the SPT is designed to focus on the development of new services and demonstration projects as well enhancing local knowledge through training and research, and encouraging collaborative developments by working with partners across agencies and across all sectors. The vision of the ideal multi-component, comprehensive, tiered system of support services is outlined, as are the project brief and principal objectives. Key activities in the initial years have encompassed resettlement, a major epidemiological and service mapping study, the development of the first of a series of accredited training courses, research reviews, and the establishment of formal links with other organizations, including the formation of the Unit for Development in Intellectual Disabilities. Aims for the next phases of the Team are highlighted.
Predictors of restrictive research strategy use in people with challenging behaviour
- Authors:
- ALLEN David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(2), March 2009, pp.159-168.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Intrusive reactive strategies (physical restraint, emergency medication and seclusion) are frequently used procedures in the management of challenging behaviour. The present study identifies predictors for reactive strategy use in an attempt to more clearly delineate at risk service users. Eight hundred and thirty-nine agencies and service settings in a large area of South Wales were screened to identify children and adults with challenging behaviour against a number of defined operational criteria. Full data were available for 901 participants. Univariate and multivariate statistics were employed to identify predictors for reactive strategy use. The individuals most at risk of the use of reactive strategies were those who were subject to formal detention under the Mental Health Act (restraint and sedation), had more severe challenging behaviour (seclusion), showed destructive behaviour (restraint and seclusion) were placed out of area (seclusion) and had behavioural plans in place for specific topographies (restraint and sedation).
Using e-learning to develop service-wide competence in positive behavioural support
- Authors:
- ALLEN David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 13(2), August 2008, pp.3-9.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Improving the competence of frontline services to support people who challenge has long been recognised as a key service objective. This article describes how web-based e-learning technology is being used to achieve widespread dissemination of knowledge and skill about positive behavioural support. The drivers for this development are described, together with an account of the historical development of the programme. The advantages of using this medium are outlined, and the benefits of a whole-organisation approach to learning are identified.