Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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‘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)
Relationships between leisure participation and quality of life of people with developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- BADIA Marta, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(6), 2013, pp.533-545.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Studies of people with developmental disabilities suggest that participation in leisure activities might be a key factor for good quality of life. This study explores the relationships between objective and subjective quality of life and leisure participation of adults with developmental disabilities. A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 125 people, aged 17–65, living in the community. Participants completed the subjective scale of Integral Quality Scale and the Leisure Assessment Inventory in the form of an individual interview. Staff completed the GENCAT Scale. No relationship was found between objective quality of life and leisure participation. However, correlations between some leisure participation dimensions and specific subjective quality of life domains were observed. The results establish a predictive relationship between leisure participation and material, emotional, and physical well-being. Personal and environmental variables analyzed were not found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between leisure participation and quality of life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Valuing relationships: the impact of a sensory program on the interactions of adolescents with severe-to-profound intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- YUILE Lauren Emily, SMIDT Andy, QUINLAN Sinead
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 25(4), 2021, pp.527-553.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: People with severe-to-profound intellectual disabilities often lack meaningful interactions with others. Communication partners need to be skilled in identifying and responding to often-subtle behaviours. One method of facilitating interaction is the use of sensory-based stimuli. Method: This study measured the impact of sensory-based stimuli paired with behaviour chain interruptions for three participants in an alternating treatment design using a novel intervention, SensEngage. Measurements included behaviours previously identified as indicating person engagement, self-engagement, happiness as well as participants’ use of potential communicative acts (PCAs). Results: The results showed increased person engagement and happiness in the SensEngage condition compared to the non-sensory condition for all three participants. An increased use of PCAs and decrease in self-engagement were observed for two participants. Conclusions: SensEngage appears to positively impact person engagement, happiness, PCAs and self-engagement for people with severe-to-profound intellectual disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring quality of life of children with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability: what are the important domains of life?
- Authors:
- DAVIS E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 43(6), 2017, pp.854-860.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Although it is estimated that half of all children with cerebral palsy also have comorbid intellectual disability, the domains of quality of life (QOL) important for these children are not well understood. The aim of this study was to identify important domains of QOL for these children and adolescents. Methods: Due to the children's communication impairments, qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 18 parents. The children (9 males) had a median age of 12 (range 7 to 17) years at interview and nearly two thirds were classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System IV or V. A grounded theory approach was used to identify domains of QOL. Results: The 11 domains identified as important to QOL were physical health, body comfort, behaviour and emotion, communication, predictability and routine, movement and physical activity, nature and outdoors, variety of activity, independence and autonomy, social connectedness, and access to services. Conclusions: The domains of QOL that emerged from this study will be useful for professionals who support children with cerebral palsy and their families. They will also be important for developing a QOL instrument essential for informing the development of interventions and their monitoring and evaluation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Significance of friendship for quality of life in adolescents with mild intellectual disability: a parental perspective
- Author:
- SIGSTAD Hanne Marie Hoybraten
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(4), 2016, pp.289-298.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: The present study examined how parents assess the significance of friendship for quality of life in adolescents with mild intellectual disability. Method The study was based on qualitative semistructured interviews with 6 mothers. A thematic structural analysis was used to identify the themes. Results: The mothers compared their children with typically developing peers to examine to what extent their children’s relationships were working optimally. Social support and a better understanding of friendship were found to be essential conditions for establishing friendship. Development of independence and a sense of belonging with others were factors that were reported to be highly important in determining quality of life outcomes for their adolescent children. Conclusions: From a parental view, friendship in adolescents with mild intellectual disability seems to be highly important for their quality of life in the long term. However, well-functioning and lasting friendship for this group of people appears to require substantially more effort for their parents than for typically developing offspring. (Publisher abstract)
Longitudinal study of parents' impact on quality of life of children and young adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- CRAMM Jane M., NIEBOER Anna P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(1), January 2012, pp.20-28.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Five domains of quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities have been identified through research: material well-being, development and activity, physical well-being, social well-being, and emotional well-being. This study investigated how parents' perspectives on these domains relate to quality of life for children and young adults with intellectual disabilities. Questionnaires were used to gather information from 147 parents of children with intellectual disabilities, recruited from 4 cities in the Netherlands, at the start of the study and about 6 months later. The article describes the methodology and analysis and presents the findings. It reports that the well-being scores of parents in several quality of life domains were significant predictors of quality of life of their children, with main predictors of quality of life among children and young people with intellectual disabilities being physical well-being (children), social well-being (parents and children) and emotional well-being (parents and children).
Self- and caregiver-reported experiences of young adults with developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- ROUSH Susan E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 6(4), 2007, pp.53-73.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Six males and ten females (mean age 24) with developmental disabilities were interviewed, and the narrative data analysed to reveal six themes: home life; relationships; health and health care; personal growth and accomplishments; occupation; and transportation. The subjects’ most positive experiences were associated with integrated, timely and comprehensive services delivered by knowledgeable and sensitive service providers. Strong parental advocacy was important in this context. Experiences were also most positive when daily activities occurred within the sphere of either the family or the disability community, as opposed to the broader community. The authors conclude that further research is needed into the issues surrounding the transition to adulthood for young people with developmental disabilities. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Improving quality of life and career attitudes of youth with disabilities
- Authors:
- WOLF-BRANIGIN Michael, SCHUYLER Vincent, WHITE Patience
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 17(3), May 2007, pp.324-333.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Improving quality of life is the primary focus as adolescents with disabilities enter adulthood. They increasingly, however, encounter difficulties transitioning into domains such as employment as these services occur near the end of their high school experience. Using an ecosystems model within a developmental approach, this American program sought to improve the likelihood that adolescents will find and maintain meaningful employment as adults. The authors measured physical health, psychosocial functioning, and attitude toward employment of adolescents participating in the program during a 2-year period. Physical health, school functioning, and total functioning improved during the 2 years. Career attitudes were above the norms in earlier grades but fell in later grades. This suggests the need for early and continued intervention.
Quality of life for young adults with severe intellectual disability: mothers' thoughts and reflections
- Authors:
- McINTYRE Laura Lee, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 29(2), June 2004, pp.131-146.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Thirty mothers of transition-aged young adults (18-24 years) with severe intellectual disability were interviewed regarding their son or daughter's quality of life. All mothers completed the standardised Quality of Life Questionnaire and responded to several open-ended questions to further delineate quality of life for their child. Mothers were asked to describe quality of life for their young adult child and to evaluate their child's quality of life. Most mothers (73%) mentioned recreation, activities, and hobbies as important components of their young adult child's quality of life. Other common responses included having their son or daughter's basic needs met (53%), having their son or daughter belong to a social network (40%), and having their son or daughter be happy or content (37%). Less common responses included work (7%) for their son or daughter, communication capabilities (10%), health (13%), and consistency (17%) in their son or daughter's life. Mothers' visions for their sons and daughters, environmental and social supports for family members, and family quality of life issues are explored. Discussion focuses on contributions of this study to the burgeoning quality of life literature.
Enhancing quality of life
- Author:
- MAUDSLAY Liz
- Journal article citation:
- Soundtrack, 26, February 2003, pp.4-5.
- Publisher:
- National Development Team
Reports on a three year action research programme, jointly initiated by Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities and the University of Cambridge, investigating the education provision available to people with severe learning disabilities after the age of 16.