Learning Disability Today, November 2009, pp.36-39.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove
'Skills for Support' was a research study conducted between 2005 and 2007 to find out what people with learning disabilities want from their personal assistants or other one-to-one supporters. The research methods used included surveys, individual and group interviews and video sessions of people with learning disabilities interacting with their personal assistants. This article focuses on the final video stage of the project and its practical findings. Five of the key outcomes identified were showing respect, giving choices, being friendly, giving good advice and supporting people to speak up. A resource pack was produced which includes a DVD of extracts from the videos to illustrate the five key themes.
'Skills for Support' was a research study conducted between 2005 and 2007 to find out what people with learning disabilities want from their personal assistants or other one-to-one supporters. The research methods used included surveys, individual and group interviews and video sessions of people with learning disabilities interacting with their personal assistants. This article focuses on the final video stage of the project and its practical findings. Five of the key outcomes identified were showing respect, giving choices, being friendly, giving good advice and supporting people to speak up. A resource pack was produced which includes a DVD of extracts from the videos to illustrate the five key themes.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, personal assistants, person-centred care, staff-user relationships, care assistants;
This article highlights the emotional needs of parents of young people with learning difficulties. One of the strands in Mind the Gap, as an action research study, was the development of an approach to apply person-centred approaches to the needs of parents themselves. Co-led by a parent facilitator, this study demonstrated how important it is for parents to regain a sense of their own identity in order to be strong enough to support their child.
This article highlights the emotional needs of parents of young people with learning difficulties. One of the strands in Mind the Gap, as an action research study, was the development of an approach to apply person-centred approaches to the needs of parents themselves. Co-led by a parent facilitator, this study demonstrated how important it is for parents to regain a sense of their own identity in order to be strong enough to support their child.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, parents, person-centred care, support groups, young people, action research, autism, emotions;