Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Supporting people with learning disabilities through a bereavement
- Author:
- BLACKMAN Noelle
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 21(4), 2016, pp.199-202.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: There remains a lack of clarity regarding what constitutes “normal” or “complicated” grief within this client group. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that complicate grief and considers interventions which would be beneficial. Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws on previous research by the author and others to comment on some of the issues discussed by Hannah Young in her article. Findings: Three domains contribute to complicated grief in people with learning disabilities. These are the learning disability itself, environmental factors and the impact of disability on attachment. Practical implications: A relational approach to support is important in preventing complicated grief. If the grief becomes complicated, a relational psychotherapy is recommended as the preferable intervention. Originality/value: This paper gives important consideration to practical factors that can lower vulnerability to complicated grief for this client group. (Publisher abstract)
The relationship between problem-solving ability and self-harm amongst people with mild intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- REES Joanna, LANGDON Peter E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(4), 2016, p.387–393.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between depression, hopelessness, problem-solving ability and self-harming behaviours amongst people with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs). Methods: Thirty-six people with mild IDs (77.9% women, Mage = 31.77, SD = 10.73, MIQ = 62.65, SD = 5.74) who had a history of self-harm were recruited. Participants were asked to complete measures of depression, hopelessness and problem-solving ability. Results: Cutting was most frequently observed, and depression was prevalent amongst the sample. There was a significant positive relationship between depression and hopelessness, while there was no significant relationship between self-harm and depression or hopelessness. Problem-solving ability explained 15% of the variance in self-harm scores. Conclusions : Problem-solving ability appears to be associated with self-harming behaviours in people with mild IDs. (Publisher abstract)
Conceptualising bereavement in profound and multiple learning disabilities
- Author:
- YOUNG Hannah
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 21(4), 2016, pp.186 -198.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Bereavement and loss are key factors in poor emotional wellbeing among people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). However, little attention has been drawn to this group in the grief and disability literature. The purpose of this paper is to make sense of bereavement and loss in people with PMLD, with reference to theoretical contributions to the field and studies of grief reactions. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review revealed 34 relevant published works. These were analysed for relevant contributions. Findings: Three main types of theoretical contributions have been made; traditional grief theories, cognitive approaches and attachment-based perspectives. Although a limited number of case studies exist, a range of grief reactions have been reported in people with PMLD. Traditional grief theories and cognitive approaches are somewhat limited in making sense of grief responses in this group, while attachment-based perspectives may prove useful in providing theoretical and therapeutic direction. Research limitations/implications: Further research is required to more accurately describe the nature of relationships in people with PMLD. Practical implications: Major contributions to the field point to the value of facilitating engagement with the grieving process, through communication around the loss and training for staff. In addition, attachment-based perspectives are offering routes for establishing therapeutic relationships that may help to resolve behavioural difficulties. Originality/value: This paper provides an overview of the perspectives within bereavement and disability, drawing together clear theoretical frameworks for future research and practice. (Publisher abstract)
Evaluating the costs and cost-effectiveness of interventions for people with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges: the need to improve the evidence base
- Author:
- HUNTER Rachael
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 21(4), 2016, pp.181-185.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the challenges associated with evaluating the costs and cost-effectiveness of interventions for people with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a commentary on a range of evidence relating to the findings of “Positive behavioural support for children and adolescents with learning disabilities: an initial exploration of service and costs”. Specific attention is paid to gaps in the literature and the evidence base for the cost of care for people with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges. Findings: Recommendations for person-centred support and increased use of behavioural and psychological interventions for people with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges are based on limited evidence. The literature is particularly sparse in relation to the cost implications for service providers or informal carers of implementing such interventions and the question of whether they reduce costs through preventing residential placements and long-term inpatient admissions. Originality/value: More high-quality research is required in the area of behavioural and psychological interventions for people with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges. Trials in this area should include high-quality economic evaluations including budget impact analysis to provide information on the cost implications for different government agencies and cost-effectiveness analysis incorporating impact on quality of life. (Publisher abstract)
Positive behavioural support for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges: an initial exploration of service use and costs
- Authors:
- IEMMI Valentina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 21(4), 2016, pp.169-180.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Positive behavioural support has been considered as a valuable alternative to residential care for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges. While recent evidence suggests it has a positive impact on behaviour and carer ability to cope, there is little evidence of its economic costs or benefits. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the cost of providing positive behavioural support to ten children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges living in the community in Ealing, West London. Comparison was also made with the cost estimate of possible alternative support packages for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges in the UK, as obtained through a Delphi exercise. Findings: Total cost of services per child was £1,454 per week for young people supported short-term, and £1,402 supported long-term. Children and adolescents were making use of a range of social care, education and health services. Over the full sample, half of the total cost was accounted for by education services. The Delphi exercise estimated the weekly cost of residential-based care as more expensive than the cost of community-based care for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges. At the end of the ITSBS, all ten children and adolescents initially at risk of imminent residential placement were living in the community with less service-intensive and less expensive support. This suggests that avoiding residential-based care could reduce costs in the long term. Originality/value: Positive behavioural support has potential to support people with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges in the community, leading to potential cost advantages. However, this is a small study and more robust research is needed. (Publisher abstract)
Positive behaviour support: what model of disability does it represent?
- Authors:
- GREY Ian, LYDON Helena, HEALY Olive
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(3), 2016, pp.255-266.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Positive behaviour support (PBS) has become well established as an intervention approach for individuals with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour. However, what remains unexplored is the relationship between PBS and the medical and social models of disability, which historically are the dominant conceptual frameworks put forward in understanding disability. This paper identifies the difficulties in exploring this relationship due to the often simplistic portrayals of such models. Though PBS has a change agenda, typically a characteristic of the medical model, it is change at an ecological level that is central to PBS. An analysis of the practices of PBS demonstrates a concern with pragmatically identifying the interaction between person and environment to reduce the occurrence of challenging behaviour. PBS practices are considered to be more aligned with a supports model because they build an individual ecology of support tied to meaningful quality of life outcomes for individuals with challenging behaviour. (Publisher abstract)