Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Challenging behaviour and associated risk factors: an overview (part I)
- Authors:
- KORITSAS Stella, IACONO Teresa
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 6(4), 2012, pp.199-214.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This review, the first in a two-part series, explores challenging behaviour in adults, its prevalence, risk factors and causes. It aims to provide an overview of prevalence studies and explore the various risk factors that have been associated with challenging behaviour. The authors also seek to explore methodological differences across studies that may contribute to the prevalence variations reported in the literature. The article summarises the findings from frequently cited prevalence studies as well as more recent studies. The prevalence of challenging behaviour reported in the literature has varied due to methodological differences across studies. Despite this, the best estimate is believed to be from 15 to 17.5 per cent. A range of factors have been associated with challenging behaviour and include gender, age, severity of disability and residential setting.
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)
Childhood cognitive function and adult psychopathology: associations with psychotic and non-psychotic symptoms in the general population
- Authors:
- BARNETT Jennifer H., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 201(2), August 2012, pp.124-130.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Lower childhood cognitive ability is associated with increased risk of future schizophrenia, but its relationship with adult psychotic experiences is less understood. This study aimed to investigate whether this childhood risk factor is shared with adult psychiatric phenotypes including psychotic-like experiences and general psychiatric morbidity. A population-based sample of participants born in Great Britain during 1 week in March 1946 was contacted up to 20 times between ages 6 weeks and 53 years. Cognition was assessed at ages 8, 11 and 15 years. At age 53 years, psychotic-like experiences were self-reported by 2,918 participants. Findings revealed that psychotic experiences were encountered 22% of participants, and were highly comorbid with other psychopathology. Their presence in adults was significantly associated with poorer childhood cognitive test scores at ages 8 and 15 years. The authors concluded that lower childhood cognitive ability was a risk factor for psychotic-like experiences in mid-life.
Patterns of risk in adult protection referrals for sexual abuse and people with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- CAMBRIDGE Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(2), March 2011, pp.118-132.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study used adult protection monitoring data to investigate referrals for alleged sexual abuse for people with intellectual disability, and identify risk. Data was collected by two local authorities in Kent, England, as used in a previous study, and included 397 referrals to sexual abuse of people with intellectual disabilities. The data was analysed, with referrals for alleged sexual abuse compared to referrals for other types of abuse. Results indicated over a fifth of referrals related to alleged sexual abuse, two-thirds of these being for women. Sexual abuse was confirmed in just over a quarter. Similarities were found with previous findings across a range of key characteristics. In conclusion, adult protection monitoring data can be used to provide risk management information on the sexual abuse of people with intellectual disability. However, detailed case characteristics need to be included in order to maximise its potential.
Reactive attachment disorder symptoms in adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- MINNIS Helen, FLEMING Gail, COOPER Sally-Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23(4), July 2010, pp.398-403.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Unusual social behaviours such as disinhibited, overfriendly or, conversely, withdrawn hypervigilant behaviours are core symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Studies with children suggest that RAD is associated with pathogenic early care. Little is known about RAD in adults with intellectual disabilities, many of whom experience adversity and abuse in early life. This study investigated whether RAD symptoms occur in this population, and explored whether hypothesised risk factors are associated with higher RAD symptom scores. The participants were 50 adults with intellectual disabilities residing in long-stay hospitals. The participants and their carers participated in a questionnaire survey of RAD symptoms, childhood experiences, and disabilities. The results demonstrated that RAD symptoms were present in this sample, and symptom scores were independently associated with early childhood adversity, diminished with age, but were not associated with cognitive ability, gender, other disabilities, or number of childhood years in institutional care. The paper concludes that, as with children with RAD, it is possible that some maltreated adults with intellectual disabilities fail to develop stranger anxiety by the usual developmental age, but these symptoms reduce in adult life after decades of further development.
Overweight status, obesity, and risk factors for coronary heart disease in adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- HENDERSON C. Michael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 5(3), September 2008, pp.174-177.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Research indicates that adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) have high rates of overweight status/obesity (OS/O). OS/O is associated with several important risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study focused on assessing whether such risk factors are being identified in adults with ID who are receiving their healthcare in community settings, and comparing the rates of risk factors and appropriate preventive interventions with a sample of adults without ID from the same community. OS/O rates and CHD risk factors were ascertained in a sample of 100 adults with ID from a medical chart review. All participants were residing in group homes in Monroe County, New York. These rates were compared with age-peer rates in the local general population. In addition, physician practices regarding weight and CHD risk factors were compared in the two study groups. As expected, rates of OS/O were high in both groups. However, rates of obesity were proportionally higher in adults with ID. Hypertension rates were comparable in the two groups, although rates of dyslipidemia (high cholesterol) were higher in adults with ID. Medication prescription rates for hypertension and dyslipidemia were equivalent in both groups. There were more dietary recommendations and fewer exercise recommendations prescribed for adults with ID. These findings confirm that OS/O rates are high in both adults with ID and those in the general population in one geographic area. High rates of CHD risk factors pose risks for premature mortality and morbidity in both groups. Because of factors that are not clear, but that merit further study, physicians may make different recommendations for diet and exercise in persons with ID compared with persons in the general population.
Audit of cardiovascular disease risk factors among supported adults with intellectual disability attending an ageing clinic
- Authors:
- WALLACE Robyn A., SCHLUTER Philip
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 33(1), March 2008, pp.48-58.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Little is known about the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor profile for older adults with intellectual disability (ID). As many CVD risk factors are treatable by lifestyle changes, confirmation of the risk factor profile for older adults with ID could substantially impact upon preventive health practices for this group. Medical charts of all adults aged 40 years or over attending a specialised ageing clinic for adults with ID between January 2002 and June 2005 in Australia were reviewed. Overall, 155 adults' charts were reviewed and 8 (5%) had diagnosed CVD. Risk factor assessments found 18% with hypertension (of 73% checked), 8% with elevated glucose (of 97% checked), 27% with elevated total cholesterol (of 94% checked), 70% overweight or obese (of 55% checked), 11% current or ex-smokers (100% checked), and 96% with inadequate daily exercise (100% checked). Only the prevalence of hypertension and smoking increased significantly with age. Apart from lack of exercise (which was much more prevalent than for the general population) and overweight or obesity, the overall CVD risk factor profile of supported older adults with ID appears generally more favourable compared to the age-matched general population, although the occurrence of all risk factors is still common. Healthy lifestyle programs for this population should focus on implementation of exercise and nutrition strategies.
The impact of physical, intellectual and social impairments on survival in adults with intellectual disability: a population based register study
- Authors:
- TYRER Freya, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20(4), July 2007, pp.360-367.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Research into factors associated with survival in adults with intellectual disability is limited and no studies have controlled for changes in these factors over time. All adults aged 20 years and over with moderate to profound intellectual disability using specialist services in Leicestershire and Rutland, UK, were identified. The relationship between survival and physical, intellectual and social impairments was investigated, also adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity and exact year of birth. The results found that of 2453 adults studied, 402 (16%) died over a maximum follow-up period of 19 years. While physical, intellectual and social impairments were all associated with survival individually, physical impairment was the only impairment to significantly predict survival in the multi-variable analysis. Being non-mobile was associated with a sevenfold increased risk of death and being partially mobile with a twofold increased risk of death compared with being fully mobile. Being male and earlier year of birth were also associated with shorter survival.
Falls and fractures: a major health risk for adults with intellectual disabilities in residential settings
- Authors:
- WAGEMANS A.M.A., CLUITMANS J. J. M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(2), June 2006, pp.136-138.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Falls and fractures are a major health problem, especially among people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The authors report on an exploratory survey at one Dutch residential facility, aimed at determining the characteristics of people with ID who were prone to falling. Data on falls and fractures were compared with a number of characteristics of the institution's residents. Each week data about falls were sampled during the study period of 33 months. It was found that risk factors for falling included: previous fractures, increasing age, impaired vision, seizures, use of antiepileptic drugs, and impaired mobility. Some 57% of the population fell during the observation period, resulting in 26 fractures. The authors noted that as the expected incidence of falling was high, an important finding was that people capable only of walking inside the building have a high risk of falling. The risk factors found can help identify those persons who are prone to falling, and this information can be used in fall prevention programs.
‘If I were given the chance’: understanding the use of leisure time by adults with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- CHARNLEY Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 34(4), 2019, pp.540-563.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Despite UK government policy emphasising the rights and choices of people with learning disabilities, opportunities to choose fulfilling leisure activities remain severely constrained. Following a brief literature review this paper presents a co-inquiry study developing a deeper understanding of the persistent space between actual and desired use of leisure time. This paper explores the potential of the capability approach to aid understanding of learning disabled people’s constrained choices of leisure activities, and constrained roles as researchers, as matters of human rights and social justice. (Edited publisher abstract)