Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Sexual activity in people with profound learning disabilities
- Author:
- REID D.A.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23(2), 1995, pp.56-58.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Reports a study aimed at measuring the proportion of individuals in this group who engage in sexual behaviours and to look for any relationship between this behaviour and intellectual ability within the group. Approximately half of the sample were engaged in some sort of sexual activity but no correlation with intellectual ability was found. The practical and legal implications for carers are discussed briefly.
An evaluation of research and training resources for the sex education of people with moderate to severe learning disabilities
- Authors:
- GRIEVEO Alan, McLAREN Shona, LINDSAY William R.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 35(1), March 2007, pp.30-37.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
To review the literature on issues surrounding the sexuality of people with moderate to severe learning disability (SLD), and evaluate available assessment and training methods. This research arose from an increasing number of referrals for clinical intervention in the training and education of appropriate social and sexual behaviour in people with moderate to SLD. What became apparent was the lack of suitable materials and assessments, which is significant as a large number of persons with SLD have problems with language, and so require tools and programmes which have enhanced levels of pictorial support. An extensive review of the literature revealed that the research on sexuality in SLD was limited. Furthermore, where research had been conducted, poor methodology or validation issues were common, and materials appeared overly complicated for clients with moderate to SLD. Further research into the development and validation of assessment tools and training programmes which increase appropriate sexual behaviours is urgently required.
The treatment of auto-erotic asphyxiation in a man with severe intellectual disabilities: the effectiveness of a behavioural and educational erogramme
- Authors:
- THOMPSON A.R., BEAIL N.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15(1), 2002, pp.36-47.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The treatment of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities who engage in self-injurious sexual practices and are incapable of giving consent poses a significant challenge to health care services. Treatment options can be highly personal and intrusive, and potentially pose a risk of litigation. However, there is also a risk of being prosecuted for negligence if necessary treatment is not pursued. This paper discusses the treatment of an individual engaged in such a behaviour - auto-erotic asphyxiation. It describes how the legal aspects of the design and implementation of the treatment approach were handled. The treatment of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities who engage in self-injurious sexual practices and are incapable of giving consent poses a significant challenge to health care services. Treatment options can be highly personal and intrusive, and potentially pose a risk of litigation. However, there is also a risk of being prosecuted for negligence if necessary treatment is not pursued. This paper discusses the treatment of an individual engaged in such a behaviour - auto-erotic asphyxiation. It describes how the legal aspects of the design and implementation of the treatment approach were handled. The treatment of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities who engage in self-injurious sexual practices and are incapable of giving consent poses a significant challenge to health care services. Treatment options can be highly personal and intrusive, and potentially pose a risk of litigation. However, there is also a risk of being prosecuted for negligence if necessary treatment is not pursued. This paper discusses the treatment of an individual engaged in such a behaviour - auto-erotic asphyxiation. It describes how the legal aspects of the design and implementation of the treatment approach were handled. The treatment of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities who engage in self-injurious sexual practices and are incapable of giving consent poses a significant challenge to health care services. Treatment options can be highly personal and intrusive, and potentially pose a risk of litigation. However, there is also a risk of being prosecuted for negligence if necessary treatment is not pursued. This paper discusses the treatment of an individual engaged in such a behaviour - auto-erotic asphyxiation. It describes how the legal aspects of the design and implementation of the treatment approach were handled. The treatment approach involved a behavioural and psycho-educational programme. A single case study methodology was utilized in order to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The intervention led to the learning of new adaptive behaviour. Auto-erotic asphyxiation ceased and the individual's masturbatory behaviour changed sufficiently to reduce the threat of mortality. Qualitatively, a significant reduction in the level of stress experienced by the individual's family was reported. It is concluded that behavioural and educational techniques may be effective in the management of such cases. Further research replicating such techniques with similar cases is required prior to the efficacy of this treatment becoming established.
Should sex have legal boundaries
- Author:
- BRAMMER Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 5(3), August 2000, pp.26-29.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The link between law and the sexual health of people with learning disabilities is not immediately apparent. This article focuses on two areas where law imposes restrictive limits under the guise of the need for protection. Whether this can be justified as appropriate is questioned, and it may be argued that discrimination operates to deny full opportunity for sexuality.
Balancing act
- Author:
- HENDY Steven
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 23.5.02, 2002, pp.40-41.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Service providers should support people with learning difficulties to develop meaningful interpersonal relationships, but robust and sensitive procedures are essential in order to balance rights with risks.
Attitudes of speech and language therapists to intimate relationships among people with learning difficulties: an exploratory study
- Authors:
- HARRIS Philip, BRADY Carmel
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23(4), 1995, pp.160-163.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Explores the attitudes of speech and language therapists (SLT) to intimate relationships among people with learning difficulties.
Working notes: policies and practice in relation to people with a mental handicap
- Author:
- LEICESTERSHIRE. Social Services Department
- Publisher:
- Leicestershire. Social Services Department
- Publication year:
- 1987
- Pagination:
- 22p., list of organisations.
- Place of publication:
- Leicester
Covers information on mental handicap, proposals for the development of community mental handicap teams, joint planning, the development of a register of all people with a severe mental handicap, relevant legislation.
A comprehensive guide to intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- BROWN Ivan, PERCY Maire
- Publisher:
- Paul H. Brookes
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 768p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Baltimore, MD
This comprehensive textbook on children and adults with learning disabilities contains contributions from over 70 authors. These include experts, disability leaders and family members. Its forty five chapters are organised in five main sections. The first section, an overview of intellectual and developmental disabilities, covers: definitions, an historical overview of intellectual disabilities, human rights and advocacy. The second section contains individual chapters on a range of different conditions including Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and ADHD. Section three, support and intervention, includes chapters on person-centred support, behavioural interventions, and the role of diversity in psychological assessment and intervention. Section four covers development of disabilities through the life span and chapters include early childhood, education, transition to adult life, sexuality, parenting and ageing. Section five, which is on health, includes chapters on: the ethics of consent, physical health, nutrition and the implications of Alzheimer's Disease for people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. A final chapter in section six discusses current advances and a vision for the future. The publication is relevant for a wide audience, including students, direct care staff, social workers, academics and policy makers.
Working with people with learning disabilities: theory and practice
- Authors:
- THOMAS David, WOODS Honor
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 288p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
The authors of this guide bring together the relevant theory for social workers, nurses, teachers and others working with people with learning disabilities. They provide the theoretical understanding needed to inform good practice and help to improve the quality of life of the person with a learning disability. They discuss both psychological and practical theories, including: cognitive and behavioural approaches; systems approach; task centred approach; and role theory. Emphasising empowerment and inclusion of those with learning disabilities, they relate theory to issues such as loss and bereavement, sexuality and stigma. They also give a guide for practitioners on social policy and legislation and advise on crisis intervention, advocacy and joint agency work.
Management of sexually inappropriate behaviours in men with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- GREEN Gill, GRAY Nicola S., WILLNER Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (The), 14(1), April 2003, pp.85-110.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Care professionals were interviewed regarding the extent, nature and victims of inappropriate sexual behaviour of 46 men with learning disabilities, and an adapted form of a version of the Structured Anchored Clinical Judgement risk assessment protocol (SACJ-Min) was completed for each. Risk judgements were unrelated to objective risk, as assessed by the SACJ-Min, to seriousness or frequency of sexual offending, to treatment outcome, or to a wide variety of other factors examined. The variables most strongly associated with risk judgements were the presence of a child victim and criminal convictions for inappropriate sexual behaviour, both of which, paradoxically, were perceived to decrease the risk of reoffending. Respondents were con dent that existing management arrangements were effective in decreasing the risk of reoffending, and that the more intensely clients were supervised, the greater was the decrease in risk. However, level of supervision was unrelated to objective risk, as assessed by the SACJ-Min, to seriousness or frequency of sexual offending, to identity of the victims targeted, or to a wide variety of other factors examined. A few variables were found to be associated with supervision level, but in every case these differences are most plausibly understood as consequences of supervision, rather than causes. The results suggest that the management of sexually inappropriate behaviour in men with learning disabilities has little if any rational basis.