Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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A survey of complex trauma in families who have children and adults who have a learning disability and/or autism
- Authors:
- BAKER Peter, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 15(5), 2021, pp.222-239.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: There is an established literature supporting the idea that families who have children and adults who have a learning disability and/or autism have a greater vulnerability to mental health problems or poor psychological health. There are shortcomings in this literature in that there is a little consideration of the impact the families interaction with services has on their well-being. It is argued that complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), with its focus on prolonged chronic exposure to trauma experiences and the recognition that this can occur in adulthood, may well be an appropriate framework to enable a better understanding of the experiences of families. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 214 family members completed a co-produced online survey in relation to potential traumatic events, impacts and support. Findings: The experiences of family carers of children and adults with a learning disability and/or who are autistic would appear to be multi-layered and complex, with many experiencing a wide range of traumatic events with the associated emotional and personal sequela. The reported responses are consistent with CPTSD with 10% of having received a diagnosis of PTSD. Their experience was that the system failed not only to provide support but also created additional trauma. Practical implications: A trauma-informed approach needs to be adopted by agencies and professionals that serve families to ensure they understand their potential contribution to the trauma families experience. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has attempted to examine the experience of families using the framework of CPTSD. (Edited publisher abstract)
The COVID-19 pandemic should be last orders for poor care of people with neurodevelopmental disorders
- Authors:
- STRYDOM Andre, CORCORAN Elizabeth, REBILLAT Anne-Sophie
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 218(6), 2021, pp.302-304.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
We explore whether the needs of individuals with neurodevelopment disorders have been overlooked during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and set out the issues that need to be considered in response to future health crises and pandemics. (Edited publisher abstract)
Adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who deliberately set fires: a systematic review
- Authors:
- COLLINS J., BARNOUX M., LANGDON P.E.
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 56, 2021, p.101545.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Fire setting behaviour has devastating consequences and a significant number of adults who set fires have intellectual disabilities and/or autism. However, there has been no comprehensive review of the characteristics and treatment needs of this group of offenders, with existing reviews being limited in terms of sample population and methodological rigour. The purpose of this review was to systematically examine and synthesise existing research to determine what is known about adults with intellectual disabilities and autism who set fires. PsychINFO, PsychARTICLES, Medline, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Criminal Justice Abstracts, SCOPUS, Open Grey, and the University of Kent arson library were searched for articles. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Searches resulted in 100 articles that met the specific inclusion criteria. Findings indicated adults with intellectual disabilities and autism share some characteristics with other adults who set fires (e.g. aggression, impulsivity). They also face additional challenges, which may have implications for treatment and risk formulation (e.g. communication difficulties, lack of support). However, current research is generally of poor methodological quality, limiting our ability to understand the unique characteristics and treatment needs of this population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Disposable dispositions: reflections upon the work of Iris Marion Young in relation to the social oppression of autistic people
- Author:
- MILTON Damian E.M.
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 31(10), 2016, pp.1403-1407.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This brief commentary piece looks to apply the theories of Iris Marion Young to the social position and oppression of autistic people, as previously theorised by Milton. The concepts of ‘Asymmetrical symmetry’ and the ‘Five faces of oppression’ are explored in this regard. The article concludes by arguing that autistic people, particularly those who have significant intellectual impairments, can be socially marginalised to the extent of occupying the social position of ‘non-human’ with the staggering consequences for social well-being that this implies. (Publisher abstract)
The use of community treatment orders in an intellectual disability service
- Authors:
- PERERA Bhathika, SHAIKH Abdul, SINGH Niraj
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(3), 2013, pp.129-134.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
An audit was conducted among Consultant Psychiatrists in intellectual disability psychiatry in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to explore how Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) are used in people with intellectual disability in the UK. Each consultant was asked to provide information on demographic data of their patients on CTOs, reasons for being on a CTO, conditions specified, patients' capacity to consent and their understanding of their CTOs. Conditions of CTOs were analysed using thematic analysis. There were 17 CTOs done for patients with intellectual disability from November 2008 to May 2011. Mean age was 38 with a range of 20-59. All patients had a mild or moderate intellectual disability. Only a small percentage of patients had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. More than 50 per cent had a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). All patients had behavioural problems as a reason for being on a CTO. About one third of patients did not have any understanding of their CTOs. Themes of conditions were focused on providing a structured life to prevent relapse of the mental disorder. The study highlights that CTOs are used differently in the intellectual disability population. CTOs are adapted to use for patients with behavioural challenges and PDD in an intellectual disability population. This contrasts with its common use to manage non-compliance with medication in patients with schizophrenia in the general adult population. This paper also suggests the main themes of conditions which clinicians can use when deciding on CTO conditions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Context influences the motivation for stereotypic and repetitive behaviour in children diagnosed with intellectual disability with and without autism
- Authors:
- JOOSTEN Annette V., BUNDY Anita C., EINFELD Stewart L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(3), May 2012, pp.262-270.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Stereotypical and repetitive behaviours are part of normal child development. However while they diminish during the second year in typically developing children they often continue in those with intellectual disability and autism. Motivation seems to change with context, but there is little empirical evidence to support this. Data describing stereotypic behaviours from 279 Revised Motivation Assessment Scales (MAS:R) was evaluated using Rasch analysis. Data were gathered from two groups of Australian children (mean age 9.7 years): Group 1 with intellectual disability (n = 37) and Group 2 with both intellectual disability and autism (n = 37). Behaviour was examined in three contexts: free time, transition and while engaged in tasks. MAS:R distinguishes two intrinsic motivators: enhanced sensation and decreased anxiety and three extrinsic motivators: seeking attention or objects or escape. Significant differences in motivators were observed during free time and transition. No one motivator predominated while children were engaged in tasks. For both groups, sensory enhancement was a more likely motivator in free time and anxiety reduction was a more likely motivator during transition. Transition was the context most likely to influence extrinsic motivators, but there were significant differences between the groups. The authors conclude that context influences the motivation for stereotyped and repetitive behaviours; transition appears to have a particularly powerful effect.
Family fall-outs and how to avoid them
- Author:
- SCOWN Steve
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, April 2010, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The families of people with learning disabilities and autism often complain of feeling unimportant and left out when service providers get involved. Their impression can be that important decisions are made without their involvement, and that all their years of love and intimate knowledge go unnoticed and unheard. Professionals have as their priority the well-being of the person at the centre, not their family, and may even see the parents and families as meddlers. This article argues that most family members are just trying to do the best for their relative, and that most people with learning disabilities will benefit from having their family actively involved in their lives and forming an integral part of their support team. The article discusses the challenges of how to develop a family-friendly approach which involves a cultural shift in services and different ways of working with families, and also the need to adapt to the changing social market that personalised support has introduced and proactively engage with families. It describes a family reference group, Forward with Families, set up by the support provider Dimensions, in order to assist in developing and implementing a whole organisational approach.
Representation of people with intellectual disabilities in a British newspaper in 1983 and 2001
- Authors:
- WILKINSON Penny, McGILL Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(1), January 2009, pp.65-76.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Articles from The Guardian newspaper in 2001 were analysed and compared to a previous analysis of material published in 1983 the examine the media representation of people with intellectual disabilities. There was much more coverage of people with autism or Down syndrome than expected from their actual frequency in the British population of people with intellectual disabilities. Newspaper reports continued to be about children more often than expected when about autism or Down syndrome, but not when about people with other intellectual disabilities. Medically related representations were less than in the past but juxtaposition with other client groups continued. More 'people-first' terminology was now used except in respect of people with autism. Articles systematically under-represented complexity and severity of need. Policy and service changes may have contributed to the decline of medically- and child-related representations within non-specific intellectual disabilities. The continued over-representation of children in articles about autism and Down syndrome, and the generally increased reference to people with those syndromes, suggests growing differentiation within the population of people with intellectual disabilities. The focus on people with less severe or complex disabilities echoes criticisms of Valuing People.
Levels of anxiety and sources of stress in adults with autism
- Authors:
- GILLOTT Alinda, STANDEN P.J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 11(4), December 2007, pp.359-370.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Clinical reports suggest that anxiety is a pertinent issue for adults with autism. This study compared 34 adults with autism with 20 adults with intellectual disabilities, utilizing informant-based measures of anxiety and stress. Groups were matched by age, gender and intellectual ability. Adults with autism were almost three times more anxious than the comparison group and gained significantly higher scores on the anxiety subscales of panic and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. In terms of sources of stress, significant differences between the two groups were also found, and stress was found to correlate with high anxiety levels for the autism group, particularly the ability to cope with change, anticipation, sensory stimuli and unpleasant events. That is, the more anxious the individual with autism, the less likely they were able to cope with these demands. This has important implications for clinicians in terms of both assessment and treatment.
A community survey establishing the prevalence rate of autistic disorder in adults with learning disability
- Authors:
- MORGAN C.N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 26(4), April 2002, pp.127-129.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
Most studies into autistic disorder have concentrated on children. This study aims to establish a prevalence rate of autistic disorders in an adult population with learning disabilities. An overall population rate of 7.7/10 000 for autistic disorder was found, which is a prevalence rate of 30 percent in those with learning disability. The prevalence rate was higher in intensive service settings. The findings suggest that specific funding and interventions need to be targeted for the treatment of autistic disorders.