Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Measuring the emotional development of adults with ID
- Author:
- FRANKISH Pat
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(5), 2013, pp.272-276.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper demonstrates that it is both possible and useful to measure the emotional developmental stage of people with intellectual disability. Design/methodology/approach: A tool was designed, based on a stage theory of development and tested for reliability and validity. Findings: The tool was found to be both reliable and valid. Originality/value: This is new work with no predecessor. (Publisher abstract)
Relationships between leisure participation and quality of life of people with developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- BADIA Marta, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(6), 2013, pp.533-545.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Studies of people with developmental disabilities suggest that participation in leisure activities might be a key factor for good quality of life. This study explores the relationships between objective and subjective quality of life and leisure participation of adults with developmental disabilities. A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 125 people, aged 17–65, living in the community. Participants completed the subjective scale of Integral Quality Scale and the Leisure Assessment Inventory in the form of an individual interview. Staff completed the GENCAT Scale. No relationship was found between objective quality of life and leisure participation. However, correlations between some leisure participation dimensions and specific subjective quality of life domains were observed. The results establish a predictive relationship between leisure participation and material, emotional, and physical well-being. Personal and environmental variables analyzed were not found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between leisure participation and quality of life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Continuity, commitment and context: adult siblings of people with autism plus learning disability
- Authors:
- TOZER Rosemary, ATKIN Karl, WENHAM Aniela
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 21(5), 2013, p.480–488.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Sibling relationships are usually lifelong and reciprocal. They can assume particular significance when a brother or sister has a learning disability. Until recently, adult siblings of people with disabilities such as severe autism have been ignored by policy, practice and research. This qualitative study contributes to an emerging literature by exploring how adult siblings, who have a brother or sister with autism (plus learning disability) and living in England, give meaning to their family (and caring) relationships and engage with service delivery. We spoke to 21 adult siblings using semi-structured interviews and met with 12 of their siblings with autism. This analysis, using a broad narrative approach, demonstrates the continuity of the sibling relationship and an enduring personalised commitment. The nature of this relationship, however, is sensitive to context. How non-disabled adult siblings relate to their childhood experience is fundamental when making sense of this, as is their need to fulfil other social and family obligations, alongside their ‘sense of duty’ to support their disabled brother or sister. Sibling experience was further mediated by negotiating their ‘perceived invisibility’ in social care policy and practice. Our work concludes that by understanding the way relationships between siblings have developed over time, adult siblings’ contribution to the lives of their brother or sister with autism can be better supported for the benefit of both parties. Such an approach would support current policy developments. (Publisher abstract)
Government response to the Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health
- Publisher:
- Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 29
- Place of publication:
- London
The Department of Health (DH) established and funded the Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities from April 2010 to March 2013 in response to a recommendation in 'Healthcare for all, report of the Independent Inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities' (July 2008). The findings show that people with learning disabilities continue to have poor experience and outcomes compared to people without learning disabilities. This response sets out a range of actions across 18 recommendations in the Confidential Inquiry to improve access, experience and outcomes for people with learning disabilities and family carers. (Original abstract)
How do people described as having a learning disability make sense of friendship?
- Authors:
- MASON Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(2), 2013, pp.108-118.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Eleven adults with learning disabilities age aged between 24 and 62 years (mean = 42) were interviewed to explore what they thought of friendship . All participants were interviewed on a one-to-one basis, with interviews following a semi-structured format. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the interview data. Four superordinate themes were identified: the significance of friendship, the effects of friendship on well-being, power dynamics and autonomy. In the social lives of people with learning disabilities, friendships have an important role. Other relationships also have significance. Greater efforts are required to support people with learning disabilities to be able to maintain friendships and follow social pursuits of their own choosing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring the issue of employment for adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland
- Authors:
- McGLINCHEY Eimear, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(4), 2013, pp.335-343.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The benefits of being in employment are well documented; however, underemployment is a critical issue for people with intellectual disability (ID). Some individuals perceive themselves as being in employment when in fact they are attending a non-work site such as a day service. The impact that this perception of employment has on other areas in life has not been investigated and research into this area could have implications for both policy makers and service providers. Materials and Methods: The first wave of the intellectual disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) included a series of questions on employment that yielded data for a representative sample of 753 participants with intellectual disability aged 40 and over randomly selected from Ireland's National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD). Results and Discussion: Overall, 6.6% of the population were in real paid employment, 7.4% in perceived employment, 12% in sheltered employment and 73.5% were unemployed. Differences were identified between these two groups in relation to social activities, levels of depression and self-rated health. Further investigation is needed into the area of perceived employment. (Publisher abstract)
Resettlement of individuals with learning disabilities into community care: a risk audit
- Authors:
- ELLIS Roger, HOGARD Elaine, SINES David
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 17(3), 2013, pp.252-264.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
This article describes a risk audit carried out on the support provided for 36 people with profound learning disabilities who had been resettled from hospital care to supported housing. The risks were those factors identified in the literature as associated with deleterious effects on quality of life. The audit was carried out with a specially designed tool that covered 24 possible risks and involved a support worker familiar with the service user choosing the most appropriate statement regarding each risk. Their judgements were verified by care managers and social needs assessors. Whilst one or more risks were identified for 32 of the 36 service users, the overall result showed relatively low risks for the group as a whole with 62 incidences (7%) from a possible 864, which nevertheless highlighted several areas that needed attention. The results of the audit have led to action plans for the provision and for the individual service users for whom risks were identified. (Publisher abstract)
Person-centered planning: evidence-based practice, challenges, and potential for the 21st Century
- Authors:
- TAYLOR James E., TAYLOR Jessica Averitt
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 12(3), 2013, pp.213-235.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Person-centered planning emerged in the 1990s as an innovative practice to assist persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The foundational purpose of person-centered planning is to assist the individual in developing service planning that reflects the needs and desires of the focal person with the disability. Despite its popularity with disability practitioners, advocates, and policy stakeholders, debate emerged at the beginning of the 21st century as to the viability of person-centered planning as an evidence-based practice. This article examines the historical development and evidence base, as well as the current challenges and potential of person-centered planning for adults with intellectual disabilities. (Publisher abstract)
Experiences of families looking for housing for an adult relative with a learning disability
- Author:
- GREY Jill
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 106, Spring 2013, pp.15-17.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
Researchers at Bangor University funded by ESF, Mencap Cymru and Cartreifi Cymru have recently conducted research exploring the experiences of families across Wales who are looking for housing for their adult relative with a learning disabiilty. Parents spoke of their concerns about their own age which would prevent them from fulfilling their caring role. All of the parents involved found the process of looking for accommodation for their adult son or daughter to be time consuming and frustrating. Lack of appropriate housing was one barrier identified to individuals with learning disabilities being offered any real choice. At the end of the article the CEO of Cartrefi Cymru and the Director of Mencap Cymru provide some reflection on the current situation. (Original abstract)
The need for future alternatives: an investigation of the experiences and future of older parents caring for offspring with learning disabilities over a prolonged period of time
- Authors:
- CAIRNS Deborah, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(1), 2013, pp.73-82.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article reports on the results of a qualitative study (in-depth interviews) carried out in the United Kingdom as part of a larger (two-phased) study investigating the experiences, health and future perspectives of older parent carers aged between 65 and 89 years (six mothers and two fathers) of offspring with learning disabilities over a prolonged period of time. The article: (i) presents a conceptual framework, grounded in the experiences of older parent carers who participated in this research and; (ii) aims to come to a more in-depth understanding of older parent carers’ experiences of caregiving, and views on their own future. A detailed analysis of the data revealed important issues with regard to prolonged caregiving. Participants responses are discussed under the following themes: a life not forseen; going it alone; reaching a decision; and nearing the end. Overall, older parent carers felt that they lacked support, information and practical resources throughout their caregiving career. Some parents continued in their caregiving role despite their deteriorating mental and/or physical health as there appeared to be no alternative, and most parent carers expressed that they were unable to think ahead to their own future and needs owing to the absence of suitable care alternatives. The findings suggest that there is an urgent need to review how individuals with learning disabilities and parent carers are supported throughout their lifespan. (Edited publisher abstract)