Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Learning disability classification: time for re-appraisal?
- Author:
- LEYIN Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 15(2), April 2010, pp.33-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper examines the nature of the classifications of learning disabilities as circulated within the diagnostic manuals. It suggests that, by leaving aside all doubts and controversies that surround the concept and measurement of intellectual functioning, weaknesses are exposed from within those manuals' own frames of reference. The difficulties arising from using the international sub-classifications of learning disabilities when the national classifications should apply are discussed. Three main conclusions are drawn: there are inherent difficulties with the measurement of the fine-grained classification system which leads to a best guess approach; there are difficulties resulting from the incursion of the internationally promoted classification into the national context; and without acknowledging these two failings, problems will compound, appearing in unlikely places. The difficulties fundamentally arise from trying to mould the categories of learning disabilities into a strict medical diagnostic framework.
Difficulties of dealing with dementia in individuals with intellectual disabilities: the healthcare perspective
- Authors:
- JETHWA Hannah, CASSIDY Geraldine
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 4(4), December 2010, pp.48-52.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Dementia is a condition that involves inevitably progressive deficits in numerous cognitive domains, including thought, language, memory, understanding and judgement. It is more than 4 times as prevalent in people with intellectual disabilities as in the general population. This paper explains the main difficulties in dealing with dementia in people with intellectual disabilities, including late diagnosis, assessment and management issues. Diagnosis of the condition in people with intellectual disabilities is often difficult due to lack of baseline skill assessment, high staff turnover in supported accommodation and low expectations of capabilities. Current National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on anti-dementia medication state that treatment should not be initiated until the condition has reached moderate severity. Determining whether symptoms are at this stage in people with intellectual disabilities is difficult because their skill level is already impaired. An accurate and extensive record of baseline skill levels in people with intellectual disabilities is therefore crucial, and regular comparison with baseline is key to early diagnosis of dementia.
Parents’ descriptions and experiences of young children recently diagnosed with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- BOSTROM P.K., BROBERG M., HWANG P.
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 36(1), January 2010, pp.93-100.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Previous research has established that the intellectual disability of a child affects parents in both positive and negative ways. The aim of this study was to explore the variation of parents' descriptions and experiences of their child that was recently identified to have an intellectual disability. The study applied interpretative phenomenological analysis and analysis of narrative style looking at content and form of parental narratives. Data was collected from nine fathers and eight mothers through semi-structured interviews within 6 months following diagnosis. Analysis revealed three factors indicating the parents' level of processing: (1) emotional expressions regarding the child, varying between limited (distanced or idealised) and balanced/affectionate; (2) experience of the disability, varying between preoccupation and acceptance; and (3) time orientation, varying in terms of flexibility and temporal focus. Although parents of children with ID describe negative emotions in relation to the child and the disability, most of these parents also describe positive emotions that seemed to balance the negative experiences. Parents may require professional help in dealing with the difficulties related to uncertainties regarding the child’s diagnosis or prognosis.
Intellectual disability and ill health: a review of the evidence
- Editors:
- O'HARA Jean, McCARTHY Jane, BOURAS Nick (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 246p.
- Place of publication:
- Cambridge
Whether for reasons of difficulties in communication, diagnostic overshadowing, discrimination or indifference, people with intellectual disability often have health needs that go unrecognised and untreated. There is concern that public health measures aimed at reducing the main health killers in the population will not address these issues for people with intellectual disability and therefore widen the inequality that already exists. The editors draw together a systematic review of physical (arranged by body system) and mental health co-morbidities in people with intellectual disability. Both physical and mental disorders are included as well as aetiology and general health issues. The writers aim is to provide an evidence base for shaping public health policy, healthcare commissioning and the development of more effective healthcare systems, as well as supporting better understanding and practice at an individual clinical level.
Distinguishing features of autism in boys with fragile X syndrome
- Authors:
- BROCK M., HATTON D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(10), October 2010, pp.894-905.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The literature was reviewed to identify behaviours that appeared to distinguish those boys with FXS/autism from those with only FXS. Three major categories of behaviour that may be distinguishing were identified: recognising emotions in self and others; social withdrawal and avoidance; and imaginative play, social play and object play. Backward regression was used to identify the combination of parent-report questionnaire items that best predicted autism symptoms in a sample of 60 males with FXS aged 4-18 years identified through the Carolina Fragile X Project. These items were matched with the three categories identified from the literature. Both social and repetitive behaviours distinguished males with FXS/autism; repetitive behaviours played a more prominent role than previously documented in the literature. The authors conclude that healthcare workers and early interventionists may be able to interview parents about a few key behaviours to determine if young child with FXS should be formally evaluated for autism.
Dementia in older adults with intellectual disabilities: epidemiology, presentation and diagnosis
- Authors:
- STRYDOM Andre, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 7(2), June 2010, pp.96-110.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The authors conducted a literature review on the epidemiology, presentation and diagnosis of dementia in older adults with intellectual or learning disabilities (ID) and specific genetic syndromes, such as Downs syndrome (DS) using Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO for original papers in English, German or Dutch, between 1997 and 2008. Articles from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, United States, Netherlands, Ireland; Japan, South Africa, Scandinavia and Italy had varied methodologies and differences in diagnoses resulting in a wide range of prevalence rates of dementia. Rates of dementia in those with ID, not because of DS, were comparable or higher than those in the general population. The onset of Alzheimers disease in DS appears earlier and the prevalence increases from less than 10% in the 40’s, to more than 30% in the 50’s with varying prevalence reported in those over 60 years. Incidence rates increased with age. Presentation differs in the ID population compared with the general population, with those with DS presenting with behavioural changes believed to be due to frontal lobe deficits. Few studies of dementia in other genetic syndromes such as Rett syndrome, an autistic spectrum disorder, and Sanfilippo syndrome were located in the literature, but these are discussed and tabulated along with others found.
A comparison of intellectual assessments over video conferencing and in-person for individuals with ID: preliminary data
- Authors:
- TEMPLE V., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(6), June 2010, pp.573-577.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Although the potential of video conferencing (VC) technology in healthcare has been realised for a number of years, interest in using it for the delivery of services such as psychological assessment is relatively new. Previous studies have reported some success in validating a limited number of psychological tests for VC administration but VC has not been investigated for use with persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). This brief report describes preliminary data comparing test results for two well known and widely used assessment instruments to establish whether scores for VC administration would differ significantly from in-person assessments. Nineteen individuals with ID aged 23–63, living in Toronto were assessed once in-person and once over VC using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) and the Beery-Buktenica Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI). Full-scale IQ on the WASI and standard scores for the VMI were found to be very stable across the two administration conditions, with a mean difference of less than one IQ point/standard score. FSIQs were generally in the range 53-103. It appears that video conferencing administration does not alter test results significantly for these two instruments. The authors note some limitations of the study but suggest that further work with a larger sample is warranted.
The autism matrix: the social origins of the autism epidemic
- Authors:
- EYAL Gil, et al
- Publisher:
- Polity
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 240p.
- Place of publication:
- Cambridge
Using a combination of historical narrative and international comparison, the authors offer a new interpretation of autism from a sociological perspective. They argue that the recent rise in autism should be understood in the context of the deinstitutionalization of learning disabilities in the mid-1970s. This resulted in a change in the way institutions had to deal with childhood developmental disorders, but also of the cultural lens through which we view them. The authors show that where deinstitutionalization went the furthest, as in Scandinavia, UK and parts of the USA, autism rates are highest. Where it was absent or delayed, as in France, autism rates are low.
Message received?
- Authors:
- GIBSON Lynn, MATTHEWS Dorothy, REGNARD Claud
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 10(8), October 2010, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
This article examines the identification of distress in people with learning disabilities who have trouble communicating. Correct identification of distress among this group will lead to enhanced diagnosis, better symptom control, and ultimately much improved health care. Undetected symptoms in people with learning disabilities are often due to lack of communication. This article argues that meaningful communication depends on the ability of people to recognise and translate the many different cues available and not just those verbally expressed. Observation by key people in the lives of people with learning disability, particularly carers, can be crucial to identify and treat the symptoms of distress. The article describes the Disability Distress Assessment Tool (DisDAT), an observational tool developed to document content and distressed states. DisDAT can be completed with the involvement of friends and family, and ensures that the carers’ knowledge and contribution is accepted in any discussions on what is wrong with the patient.
Comparison of the WAIS-III and WISC-IV in 16-year-old special education students
- Authors:
- GORDON Shirley, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23(2), March 2010, pp.197-200.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Previous research with earlier versions of the WISC and WAIS has demonstrated that when administered to people who have intellectual disabilities, the WAIS produced higher IQ scores than the WISC. This study, examining whether these differences still exist, compared the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, third edition (WAIS-III) to the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, fourth edition (WISC-IV) via tests on individuals who were 16 years old and receiving special education. The WAIS-III mean full scale IQ was 11.82 points higher than the equivalent WISC-IV score. Considerable differences were also found between the Verbal Comprehension Index, Perceptual Reasoning/Organisation Index and Processing Speed Index on the WAIS-III and WISC-IV, with, in each instance, the WAIS-III scoring higher. The results indicate that the WAIS-III generates higher scores than the WISC-IV in people with intellectual disabilities. The authors conclude that this has implications for definitions of intellectual disability, suggest that psychologists should be cautious when interpreting and reporting IQ scores on the WAIS-III and WISC-IV.