Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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A preliminary study into the relationship between emotional perception ability and challenging behaviour in adults with an intellectual disability
- Author:
- DAVIES Bronwen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 18(4), 2014, pp.382-392.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
To explore the relationships between challenging behaviour and emotional perception in a population of adults with intellectual disabilities, cross-sectional data were collected from 96 people with intellectual disabilities and 95 carers. The service user participants completed the Emotional Perception Questionnaire, whilst carers completed the Checklist for Challenging Behaviour. Correlational analyses were employed to analyse relationships between the variables. A post hoc between-group analysis was conducted to compare the emotional recognition abilities of people with high-frequency challenging behaviour with those with low-frequency challenging behaviour. Significant negative associations were found between emotional perception and challenging behaviour frequency and management difficulty. Significant differences in emotional perception abilities were found between people with high frequency and those with low-frequency challenging behaviours. The study suggests that emotional perception is important in understanding challenging behaviour. (Edited publisher abstract)
Vision deficits in adults with Down Syndrome
- Authors:
- KRINSKY-McHALE Sharon J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27(3), 2014, pp.247-263.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: In individuals with Down syndrome, virtually all structures of the eye have some abnormality, which likely diminishes vision. The examined basic vision functions in adults with Down syndrome. Materials and Methods: Participants completed a battery of psychophysical tests that probed a comprehensive array of visual functions. The performance of adults with Down syndrome was compared with younger and older adults without intellectual disability. Results: Adults with Down syndrome had significant vision deficits, reduced sensitivity across spatial frequencies and temporal modulation rates, reduced stereopsis, impaired vernier acuity and anomalies in colour discrimination. The pattern of deficits observed was similar to those seen by researchers examining adults with Alzheimer's disease. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a common mechanism may be responsible for the pattern of deficits observed, possibly the presence of Alzheimer's disease neuropathology in the visual association cortex. We also showed that individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disability are capable of participating in studies employing state-of-the-art psychophysical procedures. This has wider implications in terms of their ability to participate in research that use similar techniques. (Edited publisher abstract)
Barriers to sexual health provision for people with intellectual disability: a disability service provider and clinician perspective
- Authors:
- THOMPSON Vanessa R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 39(2), 2014, pp.137-146.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Sexual health remains one of the most overlooked areas of life for people with intellectual disability. In recent years there has been an increasing expectation that this issue will be addressed by disability service providers. In this paper the authors examine the barriers to sexual health provision of people with intellectual disability as experienced by disability service providers and clinicians. Method: This research uses a constructionist grounded theory approach. It was conducted in 2 phases using semistructured qualitative interviews to collect data from disability service managers and clinicians working with people with intellectual disability in New South Wales, Australia. Findings and Discussion: Key themes within the interviews – including funding shortages and a lack of policy guidelines – were identified as significant administrative barriers to sexual health provision. Myths about the sexual health of people with intellectual disability, family attitudes, and lack of staff training were also identified as barriers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Premature deaths of people with learning disabilities: progress update
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- London
This report updates progress made on recommendations of the 'Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities' (2013). The progress update summarises action taken or underway against each of the main themes themes from the Inquiry, including: improving assessment to identify people with learning disabilities; better integration of services; access to healthcare and interventions; and end-of-life care. Examples of local good practice and national initiatives are included. The report notes that progress has been made, but that more needs to be done. Three specific actions for local areas are highlighted: participating fully in the Self-Assessment Framework and acting on its results; securing the provision of named care co-ordinators; ensuring reasonable adjustments are made and audited. (Edited publisher abstract)
Effectiveness of dysphagia training for adult learning disabilities support workers
- Authors:
- TREDINNICK Gerlind, COCKS Naomi
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 42(2), 2014, pp.125-132.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study investigated the effectiveness of a 1-day dysphagia training package delivered to support workers who work with adults with a learning disability. Thirty-eight support staff took part in this study. Twenty-five support staff received training, and 13 did not receive training and therefore acted as a control group. Three questionnaires were completed by each participant: immediately before, immediately after and a month after the training delivery. Questionnaires measured both confidence and knowledge. Findings indicated that there was a significant increase in knowledge and confidence scores in the trained group. These increases were largely maintained over a 1-month period. There was no significant change in confidence or knowledge scores in the untrained group. (Publisher abstract)
Attitudes and self-efficacy towards adults with mild intellectual disability among staff in acute psychiatric wards: an empirical investigation
- Authors:
- MESA Sue, TSAKANIKOS Elias
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 8(2), 2014, pp.79-90.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether acute inpatient psychiatric staffs’ attitudes and self-efficacy towards adults with mild intellectual disability, were different than towards the general mental health population. And whether their understanding of the policy for those with mental illness and intellectual disability differed. Design/methodology/approach: The study is a between-subject design, using a self-administered postal questionnaire. The sample was all qualified staff from the acute inpatient psychiatric provision of an inner London borough. Potential participants were randomly assigned to two research groups, half being given a questionnaire regarding people with intellectual disability and the other half an identical one regarding people with mental illness. Comparisons were made between the two. Findings: The majority of staff were unaware of the current policy direction for adults with intellectual disability although were on the whole in agreement to the idea that they should access mainstream services. Staff overall did not have more negative attitudes to those with intellectual disability although were less likely to empower or encourage self-advocacy. Staff were significantly less confident that they had sufficient training and experience, and in their perceived ability to be able to communicate, assess and treat adults with mild intellectual disability when compared to those with mental illness. Research limitations/implications: The response rate and small sample size is a limitation. Further research could usefully look at whether self-efficacy and attitudes differ in different models of mainstream psychiatric care. Originality/value: Government policy in the UK regarding services for people with intellectual disability advocates for inclusion and equality (Chaplin and Taggart, 2012). Those requiring psychiatric care should access this from mainstream services (Department of Health, 2001, 2009, 2011; Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities et al., 2004; Bradley, 2009.) There are, however, no UK-based studies investigating the views of mainstream acute inpatient psychiatric staff towards their role. Intellectual disability staff have concerns about their attitudes and self-efficacy and it is know that acute care is the setting where most adults with intellectual disability will come across mainstream psychiatric staff. Findings have relevance to managers and staff in both intellectual disability and psychiatric services and could be considered in the context of trying to work together as is the direction of policy. (Edited publisher abstract)
Trends and variations in self-directed support and direct payments for adults with learning disabilities
- Author:
- HATTON Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 19(1), 2014, pp.35-38.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide information concerning trends over time and geographical variations in the number of adults with learning disabilities in England using self-directed support (SDS) and direct payments (DPs). Design/methodology/approach: Analysis of local authority returns to the Health and Social Care Information Centre (RAP Table SD1) concerning the number of working age adults with learning disabilities accessing SDS and DPs from 2009/2010 to 2011/2012. Findings: From 2009/2010 to 2012/2013 there has been a rapid increase in the number of working age adults with learning disabilities using SDS, particularly in the form of council services only, with the number of people using DPs staying largely static. There are wide geographical variations in the likelihood of adults with learning disabilities accessing all forms of SDS/DP. Originality/value: This paper analyses trends over time and geographical variations that have not previously been published in a peer-reviewed journal. (Publisher abstract)
Learning disability services efficiency project: delivering savings in learning disability services
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
The Learning Disability Services Efficiency Project was set up by the Local Government Association in 2014 to enable local authorities to develop and share new and innovative approaches to making savings in learning disability services. Five councils were selected to take part in the project: London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Cumbria County Council, Darlington Council, Kent County Council and Wiltshire Council. This report provides a summary of each pilot sites after six months of the programme. Short case studies are included throughout. The report also builds on the findings from the Adult Social Care Efficiency (ASCE) programme to draw out some initial messages for adult social care: reducing costs, reducing demand and ongoing challenges. (Edited publisher abstract)
Aging together: sibling carers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- COYLE Caitlin E., KRAMER John, MUTCHLER Jan E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(4), 2014, pp.302-312.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Family care provision is the norm for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, even as they and their support networks grow older. As families age together, the role of primary carer frequently transitions from the parent to a sibling, as ageing parents die or become too frail to provide continued support. This paper explores the transition in care from the perspective of a sibling who has replaced parents as the primary carer for an individual ageing with intellectual and developmental disabilities . Data are drawn from semi-structured, in-depth interviews with a sample of adults over age 40, living in the United States, and caring for a sibling with intellectual and developmental disabilities (n = 15). Data were analysed using a constant comparative qualitative approach. Results reveal themes impacting the adjustment to the role of primary carer, the extent to which ageing transformed the content of care needs, the importance of planning, and the availability of supplementary support. Findings from this study underscore the need to develop long-term services and supports as well as educational resources that accommodate this population of carers as they age together with their sibling with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
How do adults with intellectual disabilities use Facebook?
- Authors:
- SHPIGELMAN Carmit-Noa, GILL Carol J.
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 29(10), 2014, pp.1601-1616.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Social networking sites have potential to support social relationships and self-determination of people with intellectual disabilities. An online research survey was conducted to reach adults with intellectual disabilities who use Facebook and to include their voices about their online experiences, challenges, and preferences. Mixed methods were used for data collection and analysis. Results from 58 respondents indicated that they use Facebook much as non-disabled users do to connect with family members and real-world friends. At the same time, the respondents reported challenges such as privacy setting and literacy demands. The findings and how to make social networking sites more accessible for users with intellectual disabilities are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)