Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 4 of 4
The impact of repeated health checks for adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- FELCE David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(6), November 2008, pp.585-596.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
An earlier study found that a structured health check conducted in primary care identified clinically significant previously unrecognized morbidity among adults with intellectual disabilities. This study aimed to examine whether follow-up health checks would identify equally significant newly identified morbidity and to investigate this as a function of the interval between health checks. Adults with intellectual disabilities who had had an initial health check (n = 108) participated: group 1 (n = 39) had a repeat health check an average of 28 months later, group 2 (n = 36) had a repeat health check an average of 44 months later and group 3 (n = 33) did not have a subsequent health check. Thirty participants in group 1 had a second repeat health check an average of 14 months after the first repeat. An audit of the results of the health check established whether morbidity was newly identified. Information was collected on each participant's age, gender, place of residence, skills, challenging behaviour, social abilities, psychiatric status and perceived health. Comparisons within groups over time or between groups at a point in time were made using non-parametric statistics. A similar number of newly identified health problems were found at the repeat health check compared to the initial check. The nature of needs identified was also similar. There was no association between the number of new needs identified at the repeat health check and the interval between it and the initial check. The perceived health of participants receiving health checks tended to decline. As the level of new need revealed by repeated checks at even the shortest interval since the previous check studied here (mean = 14 months) was as high as that found by the initial check, annual health checking could be a justifiable intervention for this population. Decline in perceived health may represent more accurate assessment by carers following feedback from the health checks.
A microcomputer system used for evaluative and experimental behavioural research in mental handicap
- Authors:
- REPP Alan C., FELCE David
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Handicap Research, 3(1), 1990, pp.21-32.
- Publisher:
- BIMH Publications
Extends the technology of applied behaviour analysis data collection procedures by describing a computer system developed for collecting and analysing observational data. A brief description of the system is followed by examples of four types of research currently undertaken in mental handicap: evaluative, naturalistic, analogue, and experimental research. To conclude, a few weaknesses and strengths of the system are discussed.
Ways to measure quality of outcome: an essential ingredient in quality assurance
- Author:
- FELCE David
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 1(2), April 1996, pp.38-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Policy rhetoric, encompassing terms such as contraction for quality, effectiveness-led health and social care, quality assurance and value for money, implies the need to measure the quality of service outcome. Systematic measurement of outcome is rarely undertaken and generally viewed as the province of research. Argues that quality monitoring needs to be an integral part of routine service operation. A framework for thinking about outcome is offered and possible measures from the research literature are listed. Argues that while services will need to put effort and resources into developing a capacity to monitor quality, the task should not be seen as too complicated or resource intensive to make it impossible to do, at least in a more coherent way than is currently being attempted.
The definition of challenging behaviour in practice
- Authors:
- LOWE Kathy, FELCE David
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23(3), 1995, pp.118-123.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Two studies explored how severely challenging behaviour might be defined in practice. Associations between behaviour and severity of management problem in the first study suggested that outer-directed behaviour tended to be rated as more challenging. The characteristics of people referred to specialist challenging behaviour services were compared in the second study to similarly labelled people not so referred. Differences again highlighted outer-directed behaviour disruptive to the material or social environment.