Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Crossing the minefield: establishing safe passage through the sensory chaos of autistic spectrum disorder
- Author:
- CALDWELL Phoebe
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 64p.
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Building on the approach set out in her previous books and using examples from her own work in this field, the author describes how we can find ways to mark out a safe and meaningful progression from the isolation and sensory chaos experienced by people with autistic spectrum disorder to communication, relationship and a better understanding of their needs.
Advocating for equality
- Authors:
- LEWINGTON Wendy, CLIPSON Caroline
- Publisher:
- SCOPE
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 41p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The aims of this research were: to establish the level of advocacy provision for people with physical, sensory, communication and profound and multiple impairments; to make recommendations to Government, policy-makers and others on how to ensure that people with sensory, physical, communication and profound and multiple impairments are able to access appropriate independent advocacy provision; to identify what support and resources current advocacy providers would require to develop their schemes to include people with physical, sensory, communication and profound and multiple impairments; to establish whether local authorities have a local advocacy plan and whether advocacy providers feel this would be beneficial in their area The main findings from the research also included the following.. Many disabled people with physical, sensory, communication and profound and multiple impairments would benefit from the support of an independent advocate.. There is inadequate independent advocacy provision, especially for people with physical, sensory, communication and profound and multiple impairments. The main causes of lack of independent advocacy provision are funding issues and a lack of skills and experience around working with these groups of people. The types of independent advocacy undertaken by advocacy schemes may not always meet the needs of these groups of people. Finally, there is very little evidence of advocacy plans at a local level, but overwhelming support for their development among advocacy schemes.
Creating a responsive environment: for people with profound and multiple learning difficulties
- Author:
- WARE Jean
- Publisher:
- David Fulton
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 136p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
- Edition:
- 2nd
This revised and updated second edition aims to enable teachers and care staff working with people with PMLD in any context to create a positive interactive environment for the people with whom they work. Using information from research and from everyday practice, the author discusses the different aspects of a responsive environment and suggests practical strategies that staff can use to create such an atmosphere.
A longitudinal study of neuropsychological change in individuals with Parkinson's disease
- Authors:
- AZUMA Tamiko, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(12), December 2003, pp.1115-1120.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Neuropsychological changes in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) were studied longitudinally. Sixty-nine idiopathic PD patients, with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores falling within normal range, and 37 elderly control participants were given neuropsychological tests twice approximately two years apart. The PD group performed poorer than the control group on Semantic Fluency, Letter Fluency, Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, and Block Design at test time 1. Two years later, the PD group showed significant decline in Semantic and Letter Fluency. A subset of 12 PD patients declined in mental status by second testing (>4 MMSE points). Cox proportional-hazards models were used to see if any baseline measures were associated with relative risk of decline in mental status. In the final model, Repetition performance and Age were significantly associated with cognitive decline. Consistent with previous studies, executive function tasks were those most susceptible to disease progression.
Including all children: finding out about the experiences of children with communication and/or cognitive impairments
- Author:
- MORRIS Jenny
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Society, 17(5), November 2003, pp.337-348.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Practitioners and researchers have made progress, in recent years, in seeking the views of children and young people. Less progress has been made in seeking the views of young people with significant communication and/or cognitive impairments. Drawing on the experience of three research projects and one Best Value review, this article details the lessons learnt, and action required, in order to find out about the experiences of this important group of children and young people.
How robust is performance on the National Adult Reading Test following traumatic brain injury?
- Authors:
- RILEY Gerard A., SIMMONDS LIncoln V.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 42(3), September 2003, pp.319-328.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The objective of this article was to investigate whether National Adult Reading Test (NART) performance may be impaired by severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). A sample of 26 people who had been given a NART within 12 months of a severe TBI was given a second NART at least 12 months after the first NART. Mean performance on the second NART was significantly better than performance on the first NART. Of the participants, 11 (42%) showed an improvement of more than 5 IQ points in respect of the verbal IQ estimates based on their NART scores, with three participants showing an improvement of 20 points. In applying the NART to determine the presence of an acquired intellectual impairment, use of the first NART scores alone would have resulted in such impairments being missed in at least 25% of a subsample of 16 participants for whom an actual verbal IQ had been obtained at the time of the first NART. An NART given within 12 months of a severe TBI runs the risk of significantly underestimating pre-morbid IQ. If applied in this context, it is recommended that the NART score is used in conjunction with other methods of estimation, such as those based on demographic data.
Passive activities: the effectiveness of multisensory environments on the level of activity of individuals with profound multiple disabilities
- Authors:
- VLASKAMP Carla, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(2), June 2003, pp.135-143.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The use of multisensory environments (MSEs) is perceived to be important for individuals with profound and multiple disabilities, although there is limited research on the efficacy of the procedures. After a search of the literature, numerous positive outcomes of MSEs were described. Our research aimed to determine whether the use of an MSE, when applied to increase the level of alertness and interaction, actually leads to this effect. A total of 15 facilities in the Netherlands and Belgium agreed to participate in the investigation. Information was gathered on the use of MSE by 177 individuals. For 62 persons, an increase of level of activity was the only stated goal. We randomly selected 20 persons out of this group for observation, using momentary time sampling as a means to relate multisensory experiences to the level of alertness and interaction. The results of our study show that in general there is little evidence for an increase in activity levels as a result of MSE. There is, however, a relation between the level of activity and contextual variables. In particular, people with profound multiple disabilities have strong responses towards stimuli provided by members of staff (touching, talking to the person). In general, the living unit is as good a place as the MSE for promoting alertness and interactions. The influence of materials on the level of activity is limited.
Going to the doctor's : the findings from a focus group with people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- BOLLARD Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities, 7(2), June 2003, pp.156-164.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The article examines the potential of the focus group as a specific tool for appropriately engaging people with learning disabilities in the research process. The focus group is advocated as an appropriate tool that can 'collectivize' the experiences of people who may have limited communication skills. This method can be used in conjunction with others to gain service user viewpoints and to involve people with learning disabilities in research. In the article the author shares some of the findings from a study which involved people with learning disabilities through a focus group. Issues of how the author obtained consent from the participants and attempted to acknowledge the power differential between participants and the researcher are highlighted. Obtaining consent and recognizing the power difference between the researcher and people with learning disabilities are put forward as key challenges for those wishing to engage in disability research.
Improving service approaches and outcomes for people with complex needs through consultation and involvement
- Authors:
- CLARE Linda, COX Sylvia
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 18(7), December 2003, pp.935-953.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Services have not always catered well for people with complex needs. The term 'complex needs' is used here to signify people who have cognitive impairments and communication difficulties that present major challenges for getting one's views and preferences heard and understood, and/or who may not fit into traditional categories of service provision. Current developments in policy and practice, such as the single shared assessment process, emphasise inclusion through user involvement. There is a danger, however, that people with complex needs will be seen as too difficult to involve, and will therefore remain effectively excluded from the decision-making process and from the opportunity to influence service provision. This article explores the current situation in relation to ensuring genuine involvement for people with complex needs, highlights obstacles to progress and examples of good practice, and identifies future directions for research and practice.
Language impairment in dementia: impact on symptoms and care needs in residential homes
- Authors:
- POTKINS Dawn, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(11), November 2003, pp.1002-1006.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Impairment of language skills affects the level of functioning of an individual, interferes with effective communication and can result in development of disruptive behaviour. Social skills and capacity for self care may be compromised. Few studies have evaluated the impact of language problems on symptoms and socialization in people with dementia in care environments. 315 elderly residents with dementia (29% living in nursing homes, 71% in social care facilities) were assessed using standardized psychiatric schedules including the Sheffield Screening Test for Acquired Language Disorders and Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Dementia Care Mapping was undertaken at random in at least 50% of residents in each facility. Expressive language impairment was associated with the presence of delusions even when severity of dementia was controlled for (p=0.02) and showed a tendency of association with depression (p=0.06). Receptive language difficulties were strongly associated with presence of Aberrant Motor Behaviour, even controlling for severity of dementia (p=0.04). Decreased participation in social activities was correlated with both expressive (p=0.048) and receptive aspects of language (p<0.01) but social withdrawal was only correlated with receptive language difficulties (p=0.01). Language disorders are associated with both behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia even when severity of dementia is controlled for. Patients' needs in communication skills should be addressed earlier to help them maintain social interactions and reduce the impact on behavioural problems and patients' quality of life.