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Comparing residential programmes for adults with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability: outcomes of challenging behaviour and quality of life
- Authors:
- GERBER F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(9), September 2011, pp.918-932.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Behavioural challenges have limited research using quality of life (QoL) as a treatment outcome in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (ID). This study combine QoL measures and objective observations of challenging behaviours (CB) to evaluate changes in adults with ASD and ID treated in different residential programmes in Switzerland. The authors hypothesised that a decrease in CB would be related to an improved QoL. This 45-month study followed 31 adults with ASD and ID who had been integrated into two residential programmes Autism Programme with a Structured Method (PAMS) vs. traditional programme for ID (No-PAMS)] for 2–19 years. QoL [Quality of Life Inventory in a Residential Environment (IQVMR)] and severity of autistic features (Childhood Autism Rating Scales) were evaluated annually. CB, as measured by the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC), including stereotypic behaviour and inappropriate speech, were repeatedly assessed every 3 months. In the PAMS programme, stereotypic behaviour and inappropriate speech (ABC scores) significantly decreased, and the IQVMR total score increased; in contrast, in the No-PAMS group, ABC scores did not change and the IQVMR total score decreased. Further analysis partially confirmed that the PAMS programme had an effect on CB and that QoL improvement did not directly depend on the type of programme but on reducing CB as measured by the ABC.
Using contact work in interactions with adults with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders
- Authors:
- BROOKS Sharon, PATERSON Gail
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(2), June 2011, pp.161-166.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with learning disabilities and additional autistic spectrum disorder are at risk of becoming socially isolated because of their difficulties in interacting with others. This article describes a project which used contact work with people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder in a residential setting. Contact work is a form of Pre-Therapy, which is a person-centred approach which focuses on psychological contact. The approach has been developed using the idea of contact reflections for use with people who find it difficult to establish psychological contact because of their emotional, mental health or cognitive problems. The approach was used with 2 clients with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder. Both clients were offered 10 individual sessions using contract reflections with speech and language therapists. The sessions were evaluated using a tool created for the project that was designed to measure different contact behaviours. The impact of the project on both clients and therapists is discussed, and was felt to be useful on a subjective level. In addition, the measurement tool is discussed, and found to be useful in collecting quantitative data but requires additional work to capture the more qualitative aspects of the work.
Lylac Ridge Animal Assisted Therapy Centre
- Author:
- SYMONS Rob
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 99, Spring 2011, pp.17-20.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
Lylac Ridge is a social enterprise in Wales providing animal assisted therapy. Its development from a one person concern to a social enterprise, its recruitment of volunteers and its successful applications for funding are described.
Advancing psychological therapies research in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- IRVINE Mandy, et al
- Publisher:
- Public Health Agency
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 191p.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
One of a series of rapid research reviews following the Bamford Review to contribute to a needs led research programme for psychological therapies. First the paper reviews existing national and international literature regarding psychological therapies. It then outlines the findings of a regional survey into the current provision of psychological therapies and research programmes being delivered across statutory and third sector services in Northern Ireland. The findings of the presented by the four main client groups of: adults; older adults; children and young people; and learning disabilities. Conditions covered include: depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, suicide, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and challenging behaviour. Finally the authors offer a model for prioritising future needs-led research in the psychological therapies in Northern Ireland.