Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 6 of 6
Views and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities and their families: (1) the user perspective
- Authors:
- RAMCHARAN Paul, GRANT Gordon
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(4), 2001, pp.348-363.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Presents a descriptive summary of the views and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) as they have been represented in research and other literature. The authors develop further the DoH Research Initiative on Learning Disability: Proposal for a Research Review on the Views and Experiences of Users and Carers, a review report commissioned by the Department of Health on the views and experiences of users and family carers focusing on the ways in which research might contribute to policy and practice. The literature review of user views and experiences produced three broad categories: testaments of life, which are mainly ethnographies and life histories; user movement media produced in an accessible format for people with IDs or by people with IDs themselves; and research based studies in their varying forms. It is demonstrated that no single approach is able to encompass all the interests of knowledge production, policy planning, and action or practice on its own. A more coordinated and broad-based research approach to user views and experiences is advocated.
Is satisfaction a valid concept in the assessment of quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities? A review of the literature
- Author:
- HENSEL Elizabeth
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(4), 2001, pp.311-326.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This review examines the definitions of quality of life (QoL) which have developed over the past 3 decades and which reflect the increased awareness of the need to take into account individuals' own perceptions of their life. The concept of satisfaction is frequently used as an important subjective variable in QoL studies, despite the evidence of stability of satisfaction over individuals and over time, which suggests that it should be a measure insensitive to change. This evidence is examined and the idea of such stability being an adaptive psychological mechanism is considered. The use of satisfaction as a measure of QoL in people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) is discussed. The methodological difficulties encountered in assessing the subjective experiences of people with IDs are also discussed. Finally, it is argued that there is a strong argument for the abandonment of measures of QoL in general, and subjective ones in particular, for people with IDs. An alternative approach is suggested.
Pica in people with intellectual disability: a literature review of aetiology epidemiology and complications
- Author:
- ALI Zainab
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 26(3), September 2001, pp.205-215.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Pica is a common problem in people with intellectual disability. Its significance can be under-recognised by carers and health care professionals. Pica can be a manifestation of a range of medical conditions and can lead to a variety of complications including lead and nicotine toxicity, surgical intervention requirements, and parasitic infestation. The literature is reviewed for references to the epidemiology, aetiology and complications of pica in people with intellectual disability. Studies of the prevalence of pica in institutional and community settings show lower rates in the community although rates remain quite high in institutionalised populations. The psychological, cultural and medical theories on aetiology are explored, along with complications. Areas for further research are highlighted.
Gastrostomy and children: a review of the literature
- Author:
- HERRINGTON Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Society, 15(5), 2001, pp.375-386.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Children with developmental delays often suffer feeding difficulties. It has become common for those with a severe likelihood of malnutrition to be considered for alternative methods of nutritional intake, often gastrostomy. As part of a pilot study investigating the effects of gastrostomy on the child and their family, the authors conducted a literature review. This paper describes the method and findings of the literature review and concludes with a discussion of the topics raised. The main conclusion is that although the need for gastrostomy in this group of children has shown to be effective in maintaining adequate weight gain and nutritional intake, the support given to the family prior to, and after the operation is inadequate.
Issues in the definition and implementation of "best practice" for staff delivery of interventions for challenging behaviour
- Authors:
- AGER Alastair, O'MAY Fiona
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 26(3), September 2001, pp.243-256.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
A focal sample of intervention outcome studies was considered to confirm the evidence base for "best practice" for intervention for challenging behaviour in persons with intellectual disability and acquired brain injury and establish the service conditions associated with its effective implementation. Evidence supports the effectiveness of behavioural interventions with challenging behaviour, particularly those based upon prior functional analysis of behaviour. However, problems in formulating practice guidelines from such literature include: the limited evidence regarding clinical effectiveness in work with persons with acquired brain injury; the certain durability of change subsequent to intervention; and the heavy reliance upon research personnel external to services for assessment,analysis and programme design in reported studies. Subsequently, a further 42 papers which directly addressed the issues of the capacity of direct care for the delivery of interventions were reviewed. These suggest the importance of supervision processes, attitudinal change and establishment of formal review mechanisms as adjuncts to staff training in intervention methods.
Behaviourial outcomes of deinstitutionalisation for people with intellectual disability: a review of US studies conducted between 1980 and 1999
- Authors:
- KIM Shannon, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 26(1), March 2001, pp.35-50.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Ten years ago, the authors published a summary of all US studies published between 1976 and 1988, inclusive, that measured behavioural outcomes associated with the movement of people with mental retardation from public institutions to community residential settings. Those studies found with remarkable consistency that positive adaptive behaviour changes were associated with people moving from institutions to community homes. Now, the authors revisit this topic to examine whether research conducted since 1988 has continued to support these earlier findings. As in the earlier review, almost all of the reviewed studies found statistically significant increases in overall adaptive behaviour scores associated with deinstitutionalisation. Three studies published since 1990 reported statistically significant improvements in challenging behaviour associated with movement to the community, and nine reported no significant differences in challenging behaviour for persons who moved compared with persons who remained in institutions.