Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Direct support professionals and reversed integration of people with intellectual disabilities: impact of attitudes, perceived social norms, and meta-evaluations
- Authors:
- VENEMA Eleonora, OTTEN Sabine, VALSKAMP Carla
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(1), 2016, pp.41-49.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Direct support professionals (DSPs) play an important role in the process of integration of people with intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, little is currently known about what determines the level of effort exerted by DSPs to enable the social integration of their clients. The aim of this study was to investigate three different psychological determinants (attitudes, social norms, and meta-evaluations) of the behavioural intentions of DSPs to facilitate the social integration of their clients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 DSPs working in a setting of 'reversed integration,' as well as 25 family members and 25 neighbours. The DSPs’ perceived social norms and meta-evaluations of neighbours and family members were compared with their actual social norms and evaluations. The authors found that half of the DSPs interviewed were positive about integration, whereas the other half were negative or neutral. Concerning social norms, the DSPs expect neighbours to have neutral attitudes toward the integration of people with intellectual disabilities, while in reality the neighbours are very positive. More than half of the DSPs were uncertain about the family members’ opinions about integration. Asking the family members themselves, there was some variation in their attitudes toward integration. Regarding the meta-evaluation, DSPs had a realistic idea about how their work would be evaluated by family members and neighbours; both groups were positive. It is evident that this group of DSPs had an overly negative idea of neighbours' opinions about integration and contact with people with intellectual disabilities. Creating awareness of a supportive social norm in the neighbourhood could help and encourage DSPs to strive for social contact between their clients and neighbours. (Edited publisher abstract)
A systematic review of hospital experiences of people with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- IACONO Teresa, et al
- Journal article citation:
- BMC Health Services Research, 14(505), 2014, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioMed Central Ltd
Background: People with intellectual disability are at risk of poor hospital experiences and outcomes. The aims were to conducts a content and quality review of research into the acute hospital experiences of both people with intellectual disabilities and their carers, and to identify research gaps. Method: A systematic search was conducted of primary research between 2009 and 2013 that addressed the experiences of people with learning disabilities and their carers in general acute care hospitals. Quality appraisal tools yielded scores for quantitative and qualitative studies, and overarching themes across studies were sought. Results: Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. Quality scores were 6/8 for a survey, and 2/11-9/11 (mean =5.25) for qualitative studies/components. Content analysis revealed seven over-arching themes covering individuals fear of hospital encounters, carer responsibilities, and problems with delivery of care in hospitals including staff knowledge, skills and attitudes. Conclusions: The review of eligible papers revealed that despite 20 years of research and government initiatives, people with intellectual disability continue to have poor hospital experiences. The need for research to identify and investigate care at specific points of encounter across a hospital journey (such as admission, diagnostic testing, placement on a ward, and discharge) as well as to include people with a diversity of disabilities is discussed in terms of potential to influence policy and practice across health and disability sectors. (Publisher abstract)
'I never thought I would have to do this’: narrative study with siblings-in-law who live together with a family member with a disability
- Authors:
- VANHOUTTEGHEM Inge, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 42(4), 2014, pp.315-322.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using narrative research, the authors have aimed to gain an insight into the perspectives of 14 siblings-in-law (living in the Flemish part of Belgium) about the decision to live together with a family member who has a learning disability. The decision to live together usually begins with a crisis. However, the decision process is a complex mechanism; it involves dynamics and events within a family (between family members both with and without blood relationships) and is intensified by experiences within a society that holds different views about families and disability. To develop a deeper understanding of this complex process the article considers interpretations based on the contextual framework of Boszormenyi-Nagy. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ni chicha ni limona: ethical dilemmas of a sibling on doing disability research in Ecuador
- Author:
- MIRANDA-GALARZA Hilda Beatriz
- Journal article citation:
- Ethics and Social Welfare, 3(1), April 2009, pp.87-94.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
This article aims to share some of the main ethical issues that have arisen for the author, as a sister of disabled siblings, researching the meaning of intellectual disability and how it is structured within Ecuadorian families. This paper invites readers to consider how the presence of disabled people and their families could challenge previously held understandings in relation to moral and ethical values that surround individuals. Additionally, it argues that without the involvement of a deep and extensive comprehensive ethics within disability research no social change can be possible.
Family responses to the social inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in the United Arab Emirates
- Author:
- CRABTREE Sara Ashencaen
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 22(1), January 2007, pp.49-62.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper focuses on findings from a qualitative study of care-giving Arab Muslim families of children with developmental disabilities in the United Arab Emirates. The perceptions of mothers in relation to family acceptance and social inclusion issues are explored. Parental views of existing provision are also considered with regard to existing services for children with special needs in the region. Findings indicate that, in common with other Middle Eastern countries, social stigma is prevalent and this impacts upon the disabled child as well as the mother. However, this is in turn ameliorated by the influences of religion, which constitute an example of family resilience, in addition to the strides made in social development in this region.
Discussion groups with parents of children with cerebral palsy in Europe designed to assist development of a relevant measure of environment
- Authors:
- McMANUS V., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 32(2), March 2006, pp.185-192.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
An instrument to measure environmental factors relevant to physically impaired children is being developed in a European context. Preliminary work in England had identified some potentially important themes. Further inquiry was needed to identify issues important in other European countries. The objective was to inform the content of a questionnaire relevant to the environment of children with cerebral palsy (CP) living in Europe. Participants Parents of 28 children with CP from five countries; Denmark, France, Italy, Ireland and Sweden. One discussion group was held in each country with an average of seven parents per group. The four themes identified in the preliminary work done in England were strongly confirmed across Europe – namely: Mobility, Transport, Support by and to parents, and Attitudes of individuals and institutions towards children. Two new themes identified in the discussion groups were Bureaucracy and Access to information about rights and entitlements.The environmental factors that cause concern to parents of children with CP are similar across Europe. A prototype environmental questionnaire has been developed based on these findings. The environmental questionnaire is in use in a study in nine European centres.
Reaching Chinese children with learning disabilities in Greater Manchester
- Author:
- SHAM Sylvia
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24(3), September 1996, pp.104-109.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article provides an overview of the culture, religion, attitudes and backgrounds of Chinese minority groups living in Britain. It demonstrates the need for greater awareness of Chinese families and an improved system in relation to services for people with learning disability. Suggests that more appropriate services should be made available to Greater Manchester's Chinese families which have a member with a learning disability. Professionals should be more competent to understand Chinese families and to enable them to take advantage of developing services.
Doing what mum wants me to do: looking at family relationships from the point of view of people with intellectual disabilities
- Author:
- WALMSLEY Jan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 9(4), 1996, pp.324-341.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Examines what some adults with intellectual disabilities have to say about relationships with their parents. The data arises from biographical interviews with 22 adults. It demonstrates that when adults with intellectual disabilities are asked to speak about relationships they present views which challenge some stereotypical views about care and dependency. The paper concludes with some observations on implications for professionals working with adults with disabilities and their families.
A bit more peace of mind? Families views of a community mental handicap service
- Author:
- WARD L.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Today, 30.11.87, 1987, pp.12-14.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
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Barriers to increasing the physical activity of people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- CARTWRIGHT Luke, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 45(1), 2017, pp.47-55.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The prevalence of obesity, inactivity and related morbidity and mortality is higher amongst people with intellectual disabilities than in the population in general, an issue of global concern. This research examined the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities and their carers, on exercise and activity. Materials and Methods: Qualitative data were collected via interviews and a focus group with people with intellectual disabilities and their paid and family carers, recruited via state-funded community-based day centres in Scotland. Results: Three barriers hindered service users with intellectual disabilities from regular involvement in physical activity: (i) acceptance of an inactive lifestyle by carers; (ii) restrictions on activity due to paid carer preferences and resource limitations; (iii) communication issues between family carers and paid carers. Barriers were based on assumptions made by paid and family carers, so there is potential to increase activity by changing attitudes, improving communication and reconceptualising activity as integral to everyday living, rather than as additional exercise requiring special resources. Conclusions: Carers should be supported to promote physical activity in a variety of ways to enhance the motivation of service users, to encourage them to engage with physical activity as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle and to transfer this to their lives beyond day care. (Publisher abstract)