Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 59
Architects of reform
- Author:
- KAEHNE Axel
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 9(5), July 2009, pp.34-36.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Highlights the key themes from a series of research papers delivered at a round table summit involving academics and practitioners from the US, UK, Netherlands, Germany and Australia looking at what really improves lives for people with learning disabilities.
The close relationships of people with intellectual disabilities: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- SULLIVAN Faye, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(2), 2016, p.172–184.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Positive interpersonal relationships have been found to enhance an individual's quality of life. However, people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) often have restricted social networks, and little is known about their views on close social relationships. The study aimed to explore how this group perceives and experiences close relationships. Materials and Methods: Ten (6 = men 4 = women) PWID participated. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: The results report on three of five themes drawn from a larger qualitative study: ‘Relationships feeling safe and being useful’; ‘Who's in charge?’ and ‘Struggling for an ordinary life’. Conclusions: Close relationships are valued and desired by PWID, but a variety of barriers inhibit their development and maintenance. This includes the failure of others to value, accept and appropriately support the independence and relationships of PWID. Potential ways of addressing these issues are discussed. (Publisher abstract)
‘Everybody just thinks I'm weird’: a qualitative exploration of the psychosocial experiences of adolescents with Tourette syndrome
- Authors:
- WADMAN R., TISCHLER Victoria, JACKSON G.M.
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 39(6), 2013, pp.880-886.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Research suggests Tourette syndrome (TS) can have a negative impact on quality of life. To date, little research has examined the perspectives of young people with this condition in depth. Methods: Six 14- to 16-year-olds with TS took part in semi-structured interviews to explore the perceived impact of this condition on self and on relationships with others. The transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: The young people felt that TS was a constant presence in their lives, but one they have learnt to cope with well. Most had developed supportive friendships but encountered problems when interacting with the wider peer network. Specific concerns around meeting new people and future employment were voiced. Conclusions: The adolescents described specific ways in which TS affects quality of life and social interactions, and the effort it can take to cope effectively with this condition. (Publisher abstract)
Quality of life for adults with learning disabilites in private residential care: monitoring aspects of life experiences over time
- Author:
- SKEA Derek
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 5(2), October 2008, pp.253-265.
- Publisher:
- South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust and University of Huddersfield
The quality of life (QoL) of a sample of 56 adults with learning disabilities was studied longitudinally over 18 months while they lived in community-based private residential homes. Six homes participated in the study. The Life Experiences Checklist (L.E.C) which considers a person’s home environment, leisure, freedom, relationships and opportunities, was used as a measure of QoL. The L.E.C was administered to participants on three occasions at approximately six-monthly intervals. Simple feedback reports giving overall results for the L.E.C (and other measures) were produced for each home at the end of each of these three phases. The L.E.C. results showed that overall participants’ QoL changed significantly over the course of the study, with assessed QoL peaking at phase two after homes had received the first feedback report, and decreasing to near phase one levels by the end of the study. People living in one of the homes, however, sustained the observed improvement in QoL over time. Comparisons were drawn between the L.E.C results for the sample and the general population living in the same area. The sample experienced a lower QoL than the general population regarding Relationships, Opportunities and Freedom L.E.C. sub-scales and had a comparable QoL regarding the Home sub-scale, and higher scores with respect to the Leisure sub-scale. Results are discussed in terms of subjective and objective QoL measurement as an indicator of quality of service provision and in particular the effects of feedback and monitoring per se. It is apparent that in the absence of intervention no sustained improvements in QoL are seen in this sample.
A policy that is failing vulnerable people
- Authors:
- ROBERTSON Janet, EMERSON Eric
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 22(2), 2008, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
A recently published knowledge review by SCIE found that placing people way from their families and communities to which they belong is still a widespread practice by authorities and means that thousands of vulnerable people are not receiving the personalised and good quality support. The authors summarise the findings of the review.
Safari, so good
- Author:
- VALIOS Natalie
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 28.2.08, 2008, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Not-for-profit organisation Dimensions ran a competition last year to make 50 dreams come true for people with learning disabilities it supports. This article looks at how one persons dream to see animals in the wild in Africa came true, and also briefly reports on four other dreams that came true.
Deliver on the promises
- Author:
- BROAD Mike
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 17.01.08, 2008, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
As the government commits to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, the author examines the plans and role played by Community Care's 'A Life Like Any Other' campaign.
Towards a more meaningful life: person centred active support
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Community Connecting, 9, Summer 2007, pp.10-11.
- Publisher:
- Community Connecting
This article discusses the work of United Response in developing the approach Person-centred Active Support.
Quality of life and relationships in sex offenders with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- STEPTOE Lesley, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 31(1), March 2006, pp.13-19.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Hayes (1991) and Day (1994) have developed hypotheses about the importance of social and developmental variables in the aetiology of sexual offences in offenders with intellectual disability. The present study is the first of its kind to investigate the perceived quality of life and relationships of sex offenders in comparison to an appropriate control group. A group of 28 sex offenders with intellectual disability (ID) were compared with 28 members of a control group of individuals with ID. All participants completed the Significant Others Scale (SOS) which assesses self-perceptions of potential and ideal support from significant others in the individual's life, and the Life Experience Checklist (LEC) which assesses experiences and opportunities across 5 living domains: home, leisure, freedom, relationships and opportunities. There were no differences between the groups on age and IQ. On the SOS there were no differences between the groups on the number of times each significant other was reported. Actual and ideal levels of support from both mother and father were lower for sex offenders than the control group. On the LEC, sex offenders reported lower scores on the relationships and leisure sections. Poorer relationships and little indication of any wish to change that state of affairs suggests lower levels of integration and identification with society for sex offenders compared with the control group.
Implementation of 'improving the life chances of disabled people': Age Concern's response
- Author:
- AGE CONCERN
- Publisher:
- Age Concern
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 5p.
- Place of publication:
- London
'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People' states that, by 2025, disabled people should have full opportunities and choices to improve their quality of life and be respected and included as equal members of society.