Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Parents’ experience of support in Sweden: Its availability, accessibility, and quality
- Authors:
- NOWAK Herawati I., BROBERG Malin, STARKE Mikaela
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 17(2), 2013, pp.134-144.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six parents of children with intellectual disabilities, in the Western region of Sweden. The aim of the study was to explore and to gain a deeper understanding of parents’ experiences of received support for them and their children with intellectual disabilities. The study focused particularly on their experiences of the availability, accessibility, and the quality of services. Parents in this study were unsure about what the diagnosis meant specifically for their child as well as for their whole family. Moreover, the parents experienced great difficulty in obtaining information about available services, which resulted in feelings of helplessness to some. Parents also reported that although services are available, they were not easily accessible. Lastly, parents felt that the quality of care and support were to some extent inadequate, as no attention was paid by professionals to their actual needs or wishes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Experiences of families looking for housing for an adult relative with a learning disability
- Author:
- GREY Jill
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 106, Spring 2013, pp.15-17.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
Researchers at Bangor University funded by ESF, Mencap Cymru and Cartreifi Cymru have recently conducted research exploring the experiences of families across Wales who are looking for housing for their adult relative with a learning disabiilty. Parents spoke of their concerns about their own age which would prevent them from fulfilling their caring role. All of the parents involved found the process of looking for accommodation for their adult son or daughter to be time consuming and frustrating. Lack of appropriate housing was one barrier identified to individuals with learning disabilities being offered any real choice. At the end of the article the CEO of Cartrefi Cymru and the Director of Mencap Cymru provide some reflection on the current situation. (Original abstract)
How parents experience the quality of support: a survey in residential care
- Authors:
- LUIJKX Jorien, BRUG Annet ten, VLASKAMP Carla
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(1), 2013, pp.37-44.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined the views of parents and/or legal guardians on the quality of support provided to people with an intellectual disability (ID) in residential care in the Netherlands, in order to improve the partnership between parents/legal guardians and facilities. A questionnaire developed in close cooperation with parents specifically for this aim was sent to 1,785 households (parents and/or legal guardians) of clients in the Netherlands. Types of residential care included group homes, community living, and assisted living facilities, to more sheltered housing and institutional placements. The questionnaire consists of the following five subsections: daily care, housing, day services, leisure activities, and communication. A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine which factors contributed to the satisfaction of parents and/or legal guardians. The questionnaires returned (n = 1,058) showed that respondents rated the overall quality of support at an average grade of 7.3 out of 10. Small but mostly significant differences were found between the subsections. Special attention should be paid to the percentage of parents and/or legal guardians who gave unsatisfactory scores (10%) and the substantial percentage (25%) of parents and/or legal guardians that rated the quality of care only marginally satisfactory (grades 6–7). (Edited publisher abstract)
Father participation with mothers in the Signposts program: an initial investigation
- Authors:
- MAY Fiona S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 38(1), 2013, pp.39-47.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The Signposts program is an evidence-based intervention system for parents of children with intellectual disability and problem behaviours. This study provided an initial investigation of the outcomes for mothers associated with father participation in Signposts, using data collected from the Signposts Statewide project, conducted in Victoria, Australia. Data from Signposts Statewide were analysed, with the effect size Cohen's d and 95% confidence interval around d calculated for pre- to post-program changes for 134 mothers who participated in Signposts with fathers and 483 mothers who participated without fathers. Although mothers in both groups benefitted from the program, as evidenced by pre- to post-program improvements across all measures, the mean effect size was notably larger for mothers who participated in Signposts with fathers. These results highlight possible further program benefits for mothers who participate in Signposts with fathers, and are of particular significance in light of research describing the increased stress experienced by mothers of children with a disability. (Publisher abstract)
The need for future alternatives: an investigation of the experiences and future of older parents caring for offspring with learning disabilities over a prolonged period of time
- Authors:
- CAIRNS Deborah, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(1), 2013, pp.73-82.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article reports on the results of a qualitative study (in-depth interviews) carried out in the United Kingdom as part of a larger (two-phased) study investigating the experiences, health and future perspectives of older parent carers aged between 65 and 89 years (six mothers and two fathers) of offspring with learning disabilities over a prolonged period of time. The article: (i) presents a conceptual framework, grounded in the experiences of older parent carers who participated in this research and; (ii) aims to come to a more in-depth understanding of older parent carers’ experiences of caregiving, and views on their own future. A detailed analysis of the data revealed important issues with regard to prolonged caregiving. Participants responses are discussed under the following themes: a life not forseen; going it alone; reaching a decision; and nearing the end. Overall, older parent carers felt that they lacked support, information and practical resources throughout their caregiving career. Some parents continued in their caregiving role despite their deteriorating mental and/or physical health as there appeared to be no alternative, and most parent carers expressed that they were unable to think ahead to their own future and needs owing to the absence of suitable care alternatives. The findings suggest that there is an urgent need to review how individuals with learning disabilities and parent carers are supported throughout their lifespan. (Edited publisher abstract)
Parental perceptions of family adjustment in childhood developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- THOMPSON Sandra, HIEBERT-MURPHY Diane, TRUTE Barry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 17(1), 2013, pp.24-37.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Based on the adjustment phase of the double ABC-X model of family stress, this study examined the impact of parenting stress, positive appraisal of the impact of child disability on the family, and parental self-esteem on parental perceptions of family adjustment in families of children with disabilities. The study was part of a longitudinal survey of families entering community child disability services in the two health regions within the Province of Manitoba in Canada. Participants included 89 mothers and fathers of 61 children with disabilities. For mothers, self-esteem and positive appraisal predicted maternal-perceived family adjustment and mediated the relationship between parenting stress and family adjustment. For fathers, while self-esteem and positive appraisal were not significant in directly predicting perceived family adjustment, self-esteem moderated the relationship between parenting stress and family adjustment. These results suggest that interventions that bolster self-esteem in parents may be useful in enhancing perceptions of family adjustment.
A randomized controlled trial of group Stepping Stones Triple P: a mixed-disability trial
- Authors:
- ROUX Gemma, SOFRONOFF Kate, SANDERS Matthew
- Journal article citation:
- Family Process, 52(3), 2013, pp.411-424.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Stepping Stones Triple P (SSTP) is a parenting programme designed for families of a child with a disability. The current study involved a randomised controlled trial of Group Stepping Stones Triple P (GSSTP) for a mixed-disability group. Participants were 52 families of children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or an intellectual disability. The results demonstrated significant improvements in parent-reported child behaviour, parenting styles, parental satisfaction, and conflict about parenting. Results among participants were similar despite children's differing impairments. The intervention effect was maintained at 6-month follow-up. The results indicate that GSSTP is a promising intervention for a mixed-disability group. Limitations of the study, along with areas for future research, are also discussed. (Publisher abstract)
Expectations of Greek parents about employment opportunities for their child with learning disabilities: implications for social workers
- Authors:
- ARONI Despoina, HEGARTY John, PHILALITHIS Anastas
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 27(4), 2013, pp.357-373.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A survey was carried out in Heraklion, Crete, to determine the expectations on employment of all parents who had a child with learning disabilities (LDs) between the age of 14 and 45 years, living with them and having participated in some educational or vocational programme for at least 1 year. From the 310 families, which fulfilled the criteria for admission in the current study, 176 families participated. The research method chosen was a structured interview. The results demonstrated that parents expected their LD child not to work or to work in a sheltered workshop whereas, ideally, most parents wanted some form of competitive employment for their children. The findings suggest that social workers and other professionals should inform parents more positively about the potential abilities of their children and emphasise the importance of a job for all parties involved. (Publisher abstract)
Identifying the types of technology that are used by children with intellectual disabilities and associated complex needs living at home in Ireland
- Authors:
- NICHOLL Honor, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(3), 2013, pp.229-236.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Within the literature, there is evidence that caring for children with complex needs, includes the management of equipment and resources. This mixed method study identifies the range of technology used by children with complex needs and identifies issues of concern for parents. Data were collected using a specifically designed questionnaire which was administered by telephone survey and personal contact with parents of children with complex needs. Findings indicated that children with intellectual disabilities and associated complex needs require the use of high levels of technology to maintain their health and well-being. On average, families identified that 22 pieces of equipment were used by their child. This study is significant in identifying technology used in the home for the care of children with intellectual disabilities and associated complex needs. Associated issues concerning the use and management of this technology are also highlighted. Areas in need of development include provision of supporting mechanisms for parents to meet the daily requirements of their child in the home. (Edited publisher abstract)