Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Capable environments
- Authors:
- McGILL Peter, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 25(3), 2020, pp.109-116.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to outline the role played by different aspects of the social, physical and organisational environments in preventing behaviour described as challenging in people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach: Conceptual elaboration drawing on research and practice literature. Findings: Community placements for people with learning disabilities should develop the characteristics of capable environments. Such characteristics are associated with prevention of challenging behaviour and improved quality of life outcomes. Originality/value: The notion of the capable environment may help to shift the focus from the individual who displays behaviour described as challenging to the characteristics of the social, physical and organisational supports that they receive. (Edited publisher abstract)
Premature deaths - how many could be avoided?
- Authors:
- MARRIOTT Anna, HESLOP Pauline
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 27(1), 2013, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
An inquiry into premature deaths among people with learning disabilities revealed that over a third could have been avoided through good quality health care. The authors, who were part of the research team, report on their findings. (Publisher abstract)
Relapse prevention with intellectually disabled sexual offenders
- Authors:
- KEELING Jenny A., ROSE John L.
- Journal article citation:
- Sexual Abuse a Journal of Research and Treatment, 17(4), October 2005, pp.407-423.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This paper discusses the sexual offending characteristics and pathways of intellectually disabled sexual offenders. From a review of the literature, the authors suggests that intellectually disabled sexual offenders may be most likely to offend via the automatic pathway or the avoidant-passive pathway. The potential treatment implications of the self-regulation model for intellectually disabled sexual offenders is discussed, as well as the need for empirical evaluation with regards to the application of this model to the intellectually disabled sexual offender population.
‘Planning live’: using a person-centred intervention to reduce admissions to and length of stay in learning disability inpatient facilities
- Authors:
- BARTLE Janet, CROSSLAND Tom, HEWITT Olivia
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44 (4), 2016, pp.277-283.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Recent government policy has focused on reducing the number of people with a learning disability receiving treatment for challenging behaviour or mental health difficulties in hospitals (including in assessment and treatment units; ATU). People with a learning disability should be supported to remain in their community when receiving support for challenging behaviour or mental health difficulties whenever possible. Methods: This study considered a novel intervention based on person-centred planning practice, which aimed to coordinate a person's support, identify outstanding needs and increase communication. This intervention intended to reduce rates of inpatient admission, and support the person to remain in their community, whilst ensuring their needs are met. This intervention was assessed by considering the number of people admitted to the inpatient services before and after the intervention, the length of inpatient admissions before and after the intervention, and by analysing qualitative feedback from participants in the intervention. Results: ‘Planning Live’ meetings were held for 102 people. Forty-five meetings were held retrospectively following an emergency admission. Following the ‘Planning Live’ meeting, five people had a planned admission and 52 people did not have an inpatient admission. The median length of inpatient stay fell from 143.5 days before the introduction of ‘Planning Live’ to 66 days (a statistically significant reduction). Qualitative feedback shows that the process was largely seen as helpful by professionals, families and individuals taking part in the meetings. Conclusions: The results suggest this person-centred intervention contributed towards a reduction in the amount of time individuals stayed in hospital. However, the total number of hospital admissions rose following the intervention. (Publisher abstract)
The use of mechanical restraint with people who engage in severe self-injurious behaviour: impact on support staff
- Authors:
- BETHEL Nichola, BEAIL Nigel
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(5), 2013, pp.312-318.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: There continues to be a small group of people who have intellectual disabilities who need some form of restraint in their support plan due to their self-injurious behaviour. The mechanical restraint restricts their freedom of movement to help prevent injury. Despite the growing literature on the use of such devices, there is very limited literature looking at the impact the use of mechanical restraints has upon service users and support staff using them. The aim of this study was to ascertain the experiences of support staff who apply the restraints to the people they support. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative methodology was utilised. A semi-structured interview was conducted with nine support workers who: directly worked with a client with intellectual disabilities who engage in self-injurious behaviours; followed positive behavioural support plans developed with a multi-disciplinary team; applied restraints as a response to severe self-injurious behaviours to prevent harm; and they had to have been directly involved in the application and removal of the mechanical restraints in the last week. Content analysis utilising emergent coding was used to analyse the data. Findings: All participants described using mechanical restraints as having a negative impact upon them. Participants said they manage the negative impact by reframing, inhibiting their emotions, following support plans closely and gaining support from other staff. Participants described concerns and unmet needs regarding whether they were applying the restraints correctly, the responsibility of teaching others to use restraints, not feeling prepared on starting their current job and that the impact/concerns of using restraints is not talked about. Recommendations for practice are made. Originality/value: This is the first study to explore the views of care staff who are required to use mechanical restraint. It provides insight on the impact of this on them. (Publisher abstract)
Reliability and validity analysis of the Stay Well and Healthy! Health Risk Appraisal for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- HAHN Joan Earle, ARONOW Harriet Udin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(4), July 2011, pp.341-350.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The Stay Well and Healthy! Health Risk Appraisal (SWH-HRA) tool was developed for assessing health and risks of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It was developed in the context of a large pilot study of an in-home preventive healthcare programme for persons ageing with IDD. This paper presents the results of reliability and validity assessment of the SWH-HRA tool. The participants of the study were 201 adults with IDD aged 32 or older living in community settings who were assessed using the SWH-HRA upon entry into the pilot study. The reliability of the SWH-HRA tool was assessed using descriptive statistics, scale item analyses and correlation analyses. The findings support the tool’s overall reliability and validity for persons with IDD. They add support for continued use and testing of the SWH-HRA in randomised clinical control trials comparing SWH-HRA use to usual care with persons with IDD. Further psychometric testing is indicated with persons with other types of disabilities.
Supporting carers to care in a crisis: an analysis of additional service provision essential to carers of people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- DAVIES Rebecca
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 98, Winter 2010, pp.14-17.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
Research into how unpaid carers for people with learning disabilities cope with 'crisis' in their lives and the lives of those they care for was commissioned by Gwalia Housing in Wales. Twenty four carers who had experienced a crisis situation were interviewed. Although carers feedback found great variation in carers experience and definitions of crisis, the most frequent theme was that a crisis was something that stopped carers carrying out their duties. Carers were also asked about their experience of services and how they could help in crisis. The article concludes with a number of recommendations for practice.
Exploring enablers and barriers to accessing health services after a fall among people with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- HO Portia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(3), 2020, pp.604-617.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Adults with intellectual disability experience high rates of falls making falls prevention an important health need. The purpose of the study was to seek perspectives of older adults with intellectual disability and their caregivers to (a) explore the experiences of older adults with intellectual disability when seeking healthcare services after a fall and (b) identify enablers and barriers when taking up evidence‐based falls recommendations. Method: A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken as part of a prospective observational cohort study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample. Data were analysed thematically using Colaizzi's method. Results: Seventeen interviews were conducted (n = 21). Emergent themes demonstrated that participants had limited knowledge about falls prevention. Enablers included individualizing falls prevention strategies. Barriers included not being offered access to established falls prevention pathways. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to develop high‐quality falls prevention services for older adults with intellectual disability. (Edited publisher abstract)
An exploratory study of the knowledge of personal safety skills among children with developmental disabilities and their parents
- Authors:
- MILLER Hannah L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(2), 2017, pp.290-300.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: This study assessed the knowledge of personal safety skills among children with developmental disabilities and their parents' perceptions of children's knowledge. Method: This exploratory study examined the mental health records of 37 children with developmental disabilities referred for an abuse risk reduction group in a community mental health setting. Qualitative analysis of children's responses to questions about personal safety skills (knowledge related to physical development and personal safety, an appropriate and inappropriate touch and safety skills to respond to an inappropriate touch) indicated participants' varied and inconsistent levels of knowledge. Results: Consistent with the literature, the results indicate risk factors for sexual abuse among children with developmental disabilities, including children's difficulty distinguishing between an appropriate and inappropriate touch and the lack of knowledge regarding appropriate venues for disclosing an inappropriate touch. Among parents, a lack of certainty regarding their children's knowledge and the ability to keep themselves safe was identified. Conclusion: Results support the need for education about personal safety for children with developmental disabilities and their families. (Publisher abstract)
Exorcising restraint: reducing the use of restrictive interventions in a secure learning disability service
- Author:
- RIDING Tim
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 7(4), 2016, pp.176-185.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the nature and impact of a restraint reduction strategy implemented within a secure learning disability service in response to the national Positive and Safe programme. Design/methodology/approach: The strategy was comprised of three primary interventions – Safewards, positive behavioural support and data-informed practice – and utilised a programme management approach to ensure effective delivery. Baseline measures were collected from 12 months of data prior to implementation of the programme and the frequency of each category of restrictive intervention was then measured prospectively on a monthly basis throughout the duration of the programme. Findings: Upon completion of the programme the following results were achieved: elimination of prone restraint – elimination of mechanical restraint – 42 per cent reduction in general use of restraint – 42 per cent reduction in use of seclusion – 52 per cent reduction in rapid tranquilisation. Originality/value: The paper adds to the growing body of evidence that carefully designed interventions can reduce the frequency of seclusion and restraint. In this case, Safewards and PBS have combined to exert their effect. Data-led practice and senior leadership were also found to be of critical importance. Finally, the need for a stable workforce is considered. (Publisher abstract)