Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Parent's helpline case clinic
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Young Minds Magazine, 112, June 2011, pp.30-31.
- Publisher:
- YoungMinds
A child psychotherapist advises on how to approach an enquiry received to the YoungMinds Parents Helpline. The enquiry illustrates the difficulties face when trying to tackle problem of sexual behaviour in children.
Understanding the mental health needs of pupils with severe learning disabilities in an inner city local authority
- Authors:
- HACKETT Latha, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(4), December 2011, pp.327-333.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In order to plan for effective local services it is important to find out the extent to which children with learning disabilities are perceived as experiencing difficulties at school such as finding it hard to make friends, or being overactive. One hundred and seventy eight parents and teachers of children and young people attending one primary and one secondary school for children with severe learning disabilities in England were asked to complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Teachers thought that over one-third of pupils had serious difficulties; parents thought that about half of children had serious difficulties. To help plan effective service delivery, the report has been shared with the schools and local services for children. Teachers have also being encouraged to learn more about mental health problems and services that children can use to help their mental health. Implications for service improvement are discussed.
My life story
- Author:
- TAYLOR Ellen
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 12(1), December 2011, pp.16-17.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Drama therapy can help promote personal growth and positive mental health. It can also be used by people with learning disabilities to think about and express feelings that they may not ordinarily be able to. Through the example of David, a 33 year old man with a mild learning disability, this article outlines the many ways in which drama therapy can assist in moderating daily aggressive and violent outbursts, and an increase in depressive mood and weight loss. A range of techniques, including stories, puppets, masks, role play and script work can be used to help a person explore their emotions, relationships and behaviour. This dynamic approach allows a therapist to adapt their sessions to meet specific needs of service users. After the therapy provided to David, he described himself as less stressed, happier and normal again.
Inter-rater reliability of the Developmental Behaviour Checklist for Adults in community accommodation settings
- Authors:
- MOHR C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(7), July 2011, pp.710-713.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The Developmental Behaviour Checklist for Adults (DBC-A) is a carer-completed 107-item questionnaire that assesses a comprehensive range of emotional, behavioural and mental health problems in adults with mild, moderate and more severe levels of intellectual disability (ID). Earlier studies have reported acceptable results of test-retest reliability studies with family members and paid carers in community settings. The aim of this study was to report on another aspect of DBC-A reliability, namely inter-rater reliability with paid carers in community-based accommodation settings. The participants were 38 pairs of paid carers employed by 2 non-government agencies providing residential services in small group homes to 38 adults with ID in the community. The carers completed the DBC-A describing residents they knew well. Each pair of raters knew the adults with ID in the same context, and completed the DBC-A independently within the same week. The findings demonstrated an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.69 between the pairs of raters. This compares favourably with the results of an earlier inter-rater study completed with the family members of people with ID living in the community. Inter-rater reliability on the 6 DBC-A sub-scales was also computed and the results were satisfactory.
The hidden disability
- Author:
- CROSSMAN Gareth
- Journal article citation:
- Every Child Journal, 2(3), 2011, pp.26-30.
- Publisher:
- Imaginative Minds
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) connotes a range of disabilities that can occur in children exposed to the effects of alcohol while in the womb. Individuals can be affected to varying degrees from mild to severe, with a range of physical, cognitive and behavioural difficulties. It is estimated that about 7000 children with FASD are born every year in the UK. TACT (The Adolescent and Children's Trust) aims to raise awareness of the problem and to provide support for children in the care system who are affected.
Psychological treatments in intellectual disability: the challenges of building a good evidence base
- Authors:
- BHAUMIK Sabyasachi, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 198(6), June 2011, pp.428-430.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
While psychological treatments are common interventions in the treatment of people with learning disabilities, the evidence base for their clinical efficacy, and cost-effectiveness, is limited. This editorial describes the strengths and limitations of the evidence base for a range of psychological treatments available. It focuses on behavioural interventions, cognitive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapies. The editorial also highlights current problems in conducting randomised controlled trials in this area and suggests a way forward. The author concludes that developing a research-based evidence base is critical to the establishment of new services and interventions, and is necessary in supporting the value of existing services.
Psychometric comparison of the functional assessment instruments QABF, FACT and FAST for self-injurious, stereotypic and aggressive/destructive behaviour
- Authors:
- ZAJA Rebecca H., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(1), January 2011, pp.18-28.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined and compared the psychometric properties of three functional assessment rating scales. The scales were: The Questions about Behavioural Function (QABF); the Functional Assessment for Multiple Causality (FACT); and the Functional Analysis Screening Tool (FAST). The scales were compared for three target behaviour types: self-injurious behaviour (SIB); stereotypic behaviour; and aggressive/destructive behaviour. Each scale was administered twice by two raters to 130 adults with intellectual disability. Findings indicated that the reliability of the FACT and the QABF for estimates across all three behaviours was acceptable to good. The FAST had generally poorer reliability scores. In examination of the differences and similarities between the three instruments, it appeared that reliability and validity on the FAST were hindered by limited response format and restricted range of subscales.
Managing behaviour and sleep problems in disabled children: an investigation into the effectiveness and costs of parent-training interventions
- Authors:
- BERESFORD Bryony, et al
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Education
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 302p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Sleep problems are common among all children but more common among disabled children, especially those with learning disabilities. For these children sleep problems appear to be very persistent, and are not likely to disappear without intervention. Behaviour problems are also more common among disabled children than among their nondisabled peers, with studies finding rates of behaviour problems to be three to four times higher compared to non-disabled peers. Such behaviours can be difficult to manage, anti-social, distressing, and/or interfere with family routines and activities. Current evidence suggests that access to early/preventive interventions which help parents better manage the behaviours they find difficult or problematic may be an important factor in improving outcomes for disabled children and their families. This report: evaluated the effectiveness of four different parent-training interventions for parents of disabled children with sleep problems; identified the costs of these interventions and explored their cost effectiveness; explored the factors which hindered or support the effectiveness of these interventions; described parents' experiences of receiving these interventions; and described professionals' experiences of delivering these interventions.
Service evaluation of an integrated assessment and treatment service for people with intellectual disability with behavioural and mental health problems
- Authors:
- RICHINGS Ceri, COOK Rachael, ROY Ashok
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 15(1), March 2011, pp.7-19.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
An isolated inpatient ward for people with intellectual disabilities and additional mental health and behavioural problems was developed into a more flexible service integrating inpatient beds, day assessment, outreach and the local community learning disability teams. In this study, The Birmingham Community Assessment and Treatment Service (BCATS) was evaluated on the basis of the way it was utilised in its first 2 years, and its outcomes, and compared with the pre-existing, more traditional inpatient ward. Findings revealed that, although the new service model treated a higher number of people, it was more able to prevent or shorten inpatient admissions and to prevent placement breakdown and reduce aggressive incidents amongst inpatients during their stay. The study concluded that the model studied had been a more effective, more flexible and safer service than the previous more traditional model.