Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 9 of 9
New legislative proposals for women with learning disabilities and mental health problems
- Authors:
- McNAMARA Eileen, HALL Ian
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 9(4), October 2004, pp.36-40.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Several proposed changes to the law in England and Wales will particularly affect women with learning disabilities. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the draft Mental Health and Mental Incapacity Bills all highlight the tension between state paternalism and individual autonomy. Uses a fictional case scenario to consider the practical implications of the proposed legislation, and dilemmas that may arise.
A rights-based approach to abuse of women with learning disabilities
- Author:
- BROWN Hilary
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 9(4), October 2004, pp.41-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Provides a brief overview of abuse and protection with particular focus on women with learning disabilities, who face double oppression as the intersection of gender and disability making them particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and exploitation. Reviews some useful models of abuse, to guide practice and frame further research, and reflects the Department of Health guidance No secrets (2000), which has resulted in a coherent framework for use throughout local authorities and other statutory agencies to address abuse against all vulnerable adults.
Human rights and the failure of policy to deliver: women with learning disabilities and mental health needs
- Author:
- LAWSON Annette
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 9(4), October 2004, pp.4-11.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Human rights figure largely in both rhetoric and practice, and Government policy seeks to value and enhance individual equality and quality of life. Draws on recent work to illustrate gaps in the achievement of these ideals. The proposed new single body, a Commission on Equality and Human Rights, may offer an improved framework for implementation of policy goals and more fulfilled lives.
Why the difference? Advice on breast examination given to carers of women who have learning disability and to women who do not
- Author:
- GILLINGS-TAYLOR Samantha
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities, 8(2), June 2004, pp.175-189.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article is about carers being discouraged from performing regular breast examinations for women who have a learning disability and who are unable to perform it upon themselves. This follows guidelines issued by the Cancer Screening Programme in 2000. The article looks at the need to perform breast examination, draws on feminist thought and explores the possible reasons for the guidelines, focusing on issues of abuse, consent and who should perform the examination. Conclusions are reached that women who have a learning disability should receive the opportunity for breast examinations to be conducted, and recommendations are made in relation to the issues of abuse, consent and who should perform the examination.
Development of a specialised forensic service for women with learning disability: the first three years
- Authors:
- BERBER Elizabeth, BOER Harm
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Forensic Practice, 6(4), December 2004, pp.10-20.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In recent years there has been growing interest in the fate of women with mental disorder who come into contact with the criminal justice system. Women-only services have begun to be developed in generic psychiatric settings, spurred on by the national service framework which set a time limit for the development of segregated in-patient facilities. Forensic services for those with learning disability have been slower to take up the challenge of how best to place women with learning disability who offend and require an in-patient secure environment. Describes how one such service attempted to rise to this challenge and build a service for this often neglected group.
Mental health needs of women with learning disabilities: services can be organised to meet the challenge
- Author:
- KOHEN Dora
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 9(4), October 2004, pp.12-19.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Women with learning disabilities have many social, personal and psychological problems stemming from neglect, as well as being doubly disadvantaged by gender and learning disability. Most such psychosocial problems are not addressed as they arise, leading to psychiatric diagnosis and medicalisation of non-medical issues. It is important to recognise parenting in women with learning disabilities, as well as concerns such as sexual and emotional abuse and violence, and address them by appropriate agencies. Research suggests trained mental health staff with good understanding of gender as well as of disabilities would be able to address needs before they turn into crises. International and national surveys give good understanding of where needs lie and how services could be structured most effectively. Recognition of problems, a robust gender-sensitive approach and management skills at community level seem most important in dealing with women with learning disabilities. Most need local, generic, gender-sensitive non-stigmatising services. Only a very small minority of women with behavioural problems will need the highly specialised psychiatric learning disabilities team.
Understanding our bodies, understanding ourselves: the menstrual cycle, mental health and women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- DITCHFIELD Hedy, BURNS Jan
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 9(4), October 2004, pp.24-32.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Reviews the evidence for vulnerability in women with learning disabilities to a range of physical and mental health problems, with special emphasis on menstruation. Describes a qualitative research project on the experience of learning-disabled women in relation to menstruation, concluding by emphasising the need for services to communicate information on this subject in more sensitive and appropriate ways.
Mental health needs of women with learning disabilities: services can be organised to meet the challenge
- Author:
- O'HARA Jean
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 9(4), October 2004, pp.20-23.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The Department of Health recognises there are differences in the family and social context of women's and men's lives with consequences for how mental ill-health presents and is treated. Discusses what it means to be a woman with learning disabilities and mental health needs. asking if she will be able to access services sensitive to her situation, life experiences, aspirations and uniqueness as a woman and if systems in place to plan, deliver and monitor services take account of her and her individual needs.
The relative influence of childhood sexual abuse and other family background risk factors on adult adversities in female outpatients treated for anxiety disorders and depression
- Authors:
- PELEKIS Dawn E., MYLETUN Arnstein, DAHL Alv A.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 28(1), January 2004, pp.61-76.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study from Norway examines the relative influence of child sexual abuse (CSA) and family background risk factors (FBRF) on the risk for current mental disorders and the quality of current intimate relationships in women with CSA treated for anxiety disorders and/or depression. 112 women, who were treated with outpatient psychotherapy by female therapists for anxiety disorders and/or depression were included. CSA had been admitted at the start of treatment start in 56 women, while no CSA was admitted among the 56 women of the comparison group. Systematic and detailed retrospective information about childhood as well as data on current functioning and current mental disorders were collected by questionnaires and structured interviews done by an independent female psychiatrist. The women of the CSA group reported significantly more FBRF than the comparisons. CSA increased the risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), non-suicidal self-inflicted harm, and rape after 16 years. Major depression, dysthymia, and their comorbidity were not associated with CSA. The five indicators of quality of current intimate relationship were not associated with CSA. Women with CSA who have been treated for anxiety disorders and/or depression, also frequently have been exposed to FBRF. Increased risk for PTSD, self-inflicted harm before therapy, and rape after 16 years of age was influenced by CSA, while mood disorders and the quality of current attachment are not associated with CSA, but with FBRF or other factors not examined in this study.