Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Let them speak
- Author:
- BOND Henrietta
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 17.8.00, 2000, pp.20-21.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The quality of life of people with learning difficulties could be improved by extending their right to make choices, says a recent report. This article reports on some projects in which workers use new skills to help clients communicate.
Thriving with Down syndrome: a qualitative multiple case study
- Authors:
- THOMPSON Talia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(6), 2020, pp.1390-1404.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Prior research has primarily focused on associated medical problems and skill deficits. This study takes a novel positive psychology approach by examining critical individual characteristics and environmental factors that facilitate exceptional quality of life for people with DS. Method: A qualitative multiple case study design was used to document the lives of four adults thriving with DS. Thriving was defined as high subjective well‐being coupled with continued personal development. Results: Descriptive contexts were provided for each case along with four overarching themes: a supportive social ecology, high expectations for independence, advocacy, and strengths facilitating happiness. A new conceptual framework for understanding thriving with DS was proposed. Conclusions: These findings provide insight as to what is possible for people with DS, including ideas for future research and practice to promote thriving in the DS population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Paying the piper and calling the tune?: the relationship between parents and irect payments for people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Val, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(3), September 2003, pp.219-228.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this paper is to investigate the role parents are playing in direct payments provision for their son or daughter with intellectual disabilities. The paper draws on a UK-wide inclusive research project, carried out by researchers who were members of an organization of people with intellectual disabilities. The purpose of the project as a whole was to explore what support works best for people with intellectual disabilities to access direct payments provision in the UK, and one of the key supports for certain people was found to be parents and families. Drawing on interviews with 29 family carers, the researchers found that parents were often strong advocates of independence for their son or daughter, and only acted as barriers to direct payments when they did not have sufficient information. Parents were found to be playing significant roles as initiators, managers and supporters of direct payments for their son or daughter; however, these roles were matched by important gains in quality of life and relationships within the family. The paper considers the implications of the power balance between persons with intellectual disabilities, their parents and their staff. Direct payments can alter that balance radically, but it is still important to have a good, independent direct payments support scheme to enable the person with intellectual disabilities to be in control.
Life members: women with intellectual disabilities and aging
- Author:
- WALSH Patricia Noonan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 38(1/2), 2002, pp.121-135.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Reviews some of the dilemmas faced by women with intellectual disabilities as they age and are trying to stake out a place in their communities. The article draws on recent testimony of older women themselves, their carers and advocates about optimal paths to healthy ageing. The author suggests that more flexible, individualized forms of support are likely to enhance the quality of longer lives and that supports for women with intellectual disabilities can be appraised in terms of efficacy in strengthening women's membership of their respective communities as they age. The author speaks to the implications for best practice on the part of professionals and othercarers who work with and support women as they age and proffers suggested research strategies for future women's studies.
Breaking the vicious cycle
- Author:
- SARTORIUS Norman
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Care, 4(3), November 2000, pp.80-82.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
Discusses how mental health workers can tackle stigma and discrimination attached to metal illness.
Aging, rights and quality of life: prospects for older people with developmental disabilities
- Editors:
- HERR Stanley S., WEBER Germain
- Publisher:
- Paul H. Brookes
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 413p.,bibliogs.
- Place of publication:
- Baltimore, MD
Collection of papers on the rights of older people with learning difficulties in the United States. Contains sections on: human rights and legal considerations; quality of life and quality standards; service models and innovations; and future directions.
Quality in later life: rights, rhetoric and reality: British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference, (30th:Stirling; 2002, 31 August-2 September)
- Editors:
- TESTER S, ARCHIBALD C, ROWLINGS C, TURNER S
- Publisher:
- Department of Applied Social Science, University of Stirling
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 294p.,bibliogs.
- Place of publication:
- Stirling
These conference papers explore the issue of quality in later life, the factors that affect older people's experience and their understanding of what matters to them. Gerontologists have much to contribute both to analysis and the promotion of quality in old age. This contribution continues to develop the means by which older people, including those with significant mental or physical disabilities can make themselves participate in the debates by defining their own experiences and what makes a difference to them.