Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Health and social needs of people with low intelligence
- Authors:
- SCHNEIDER Justine, CLEGG Jennifer
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review Journal, 14(2), June 2009, pp.22-27.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper asks whether intellectual ability determines an individual's potential to live well and deal with the checks and obstacles that life presents. A secondary analysis of the ONS survey of psychiatric morbidity, 2000 was undertaken. It was fond that people with low intelligence was significantly more likely to be a smoker, have problems with paperwork and be renting their home, and a significant subgroup was more likely to be friendless. The pursuit of social justice and social inclusion may require greater attention to be paid to the health and well-being of people with below-average intelligence.
Support in housing: a comparison between people with psychiatric disabilities and people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- UMB-CARLSSON Oie, JANNSON Lennart
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 45(6), December 2009, pp.420-426.
- Publisher:
- Springer
The type of housing and support in housing was compared for people with psychiatric disabilities and people with intellectual disabilities who were typically dependent on support in everyday life. The study also examined whether type of housing and support in housing were related to gender within the two groups. Information was obtained by available questionnaire reports provided by staff members. The results indicate unequal accessibility of support in housing in relation to the two groups. Moreover, the findings suggest that type of disability is a more determining factor than gender regarding support in housing.
Roles of general practitioners in the provision of health care services for people with intellectual disabilities: a national census in Taiwan
- Authors:
- LIN Jin-Ding, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(6), November 2009, pp.582-591.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The perceptions of general practitioners (GPs) in the provision of health care services for people with intellectual disabilities are explored and GPs' priorities in the delivery of health care services to this group of people in Taiwan analysed. A cross-sectional design was conducted by a census method. A questionnaire was mailed out, between 10 April 2006 and 16 June 2006, and the responses provided by 331 GPs (response rate = 16) were included in the analysis. The results showed that most of the respondents did not have sufficient experience to deal with patients with intellectual disabilities and lacked adequate knowledge about intellectual disabilities. Indeed, respondents expressed the need for on-the-job training in the field of intellectual disabilities and generally agreed that their role in providing health care services for people with intellectual disabilities was important. However, they were generally not satisfied with the achievements of their role on health care issues. The study highlighted that many issues need to be prioritized for people with intellectual disabilities in relation to policy planning at different health care stages (primary, secondary and tertiary health care). The results also revealed that those senior GPs with considerable experience in treating people with intellectual disabilities were more likely satisfied with their role in providing health care for this group of people.
Parents with learning disabilities: perceived incidence and needs
- Authors:
- BARKBY Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Practitioner, 82(11), November 2009, pp.34-37.
- Publisher:
- Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association
Three focus groups were conducted involving 35 members of community health visiting teams in order to identify estimated incidence and needs of parents with learning disabilities and the needs of services in supporting them. The health visiting teams identified clinically significant numbers of parents with learning disabilities and - through qualitative focus group discussion - suggested a significant need for intervention and support for these parents, greater resources and knowledge within health visiting services, and improved interagency co-ordination and communication.
Concepts of access for people with learning difficulties: towards a shared understanding
- Authors:
- NIND Melanie, SEALE Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 24(3), May 2009, pp.273-287.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article explores both the process and outcomes of a seminar series on the concept of access for people with learning difficulties. The seminar topics chosen to foster dialogue across professional and disciplinary boundaries included access to information, education, employment, the law, health, leisure, community, past histories and future plans. The seminars brought together people with learning difficulties and their support workers, researchers and professionals, to examine the expert knowledge of people with learning difficulties in negotiating access, the role of practitioners in mediating access and the contribution of research to understanding access. The aim was to develop a rich, shared understanding of the concept of access for people with learning difficulties. However, a huge amount of 'access work' had to be done to achieve this. The article discusses that access work and proposes a multidimensional model of access and ways of promoting it.
Supporting parents with learning disabilities and difficulties: stories of positive practice
- Author:
- WORKING TOGETHER WITH PARENTS NETWORK
- Publisher:
- Norah Fry Research Centre
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 20p.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
This booklet tells the stories of 6 families headed by a parent or parents with learning disabilities or difficulties who have been enabled, with the right support from professionals, to look after their children and safeguard their welfare. The stories aim to give an insight into the complexities of the real lives of parents with learning disabilities and difficulties, and illustrate the positive impact of professionals who provide appropriate, positive, flexible and coordinated support. The stories show that if parents are given support tailored to their particular learning styles and their family’s needs, they can parent effectively, despite the negative expectations and difficulties they face. The work of the services and staff described in these stories illustrates how the aims and provisions of the Children Act 1989 (for England and Wales ) and the Children Act ( Scotland ) 1995 can be put into practice.
The experiences of children with learning disabilities, their carers and staff during a hospital admission
- Authors:
- JACKSON BROWN Freddy, GUVENIR Jane
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(2), June 2009, pp.110-115.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Government policy is that people with learning disabilities should have their healthcare needs met by mainstream services. This study interviewed the carers of 13 children with learning disabilities admitted to hospital for a period longer than 24 hours. Nursing staff and two children were also interviewed. Five themes were identified as having a significant impact: (i) child, carer and staff anxiety, (ii) preparedness for the admission, (iii) difficulties managing the child's behaviour, (iv) carer presence during the admission and (v) ward environment. This study presents edited responses from children, their carers and ward staff and identifies areas for service improvement. These include an emphasis on the value of emotional support, ensuring staff are prepared for hospital admission, agreeing strategies for supporting the child's behaviour, clarifying carers and staff roles during an admission, ensuring the child has an individual room if required. Study limitations are discussed and directions for future research recommended.
Comparison of adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems admitted to specialist and generic inpatient units
- Authors:
- HEMMINGS C.P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(2), June 2009, pp.123-128.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to compare the characteristics of service users with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems admitted to either a specialist or a generic inpatient unit in an area of South London. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of consecutive admissions over a 5.5-year period were recorded using a questionnaire. Key differences in psychiatric diagnosis, residence type and discharge destination were found between individuals using generic and specialist provision. Length of stay was significantly longer for specialist unit admissions. Admissions to the specialist unit were significantly more likely to reside with family prior to admission and admissions to generic units were significantly more likely to come from 'other' forms of residence such as hostels, prison and 'no fixed abode'. At discharge the proportion of those admitted to the specialist unit who resided with their families reduced. At the same time the proportion of those living in supported accommodation increased although compared with those admitted to generic units they were still significantly more likely to return to the family home. Significantly, more adults admitted to generic units were diagnosed with an affective disorder. Specialist inpatient provision may be crucial in helping mainstream services meet the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems.
A healthy outlook?
- Author:
- HUNTER Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 9(4), June 2009, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
This article is about implementation of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities. While not yet mandatory, GPs are being offered extra payments to ensure that patients with learning disabilities receive an annual health check. Some of the difficulties with providing primary care to people with learning disabilities are discussed. GPs and practice staff need to make "reasonable adjustments" in terms of lowering thresholds for intervention and taking carers' concerns seriously. While there is no room for complacency examples of good practice continue to emerge. The article describes the use of health facilitators to aid communication in south Birmingham PCT and development of a local enhanced service, that includes annual health checks and health action plans, in Westminster.
Supporting disabled parents: a family or a fragmented approach?
- Author:
- COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL CARE INSPECTION
- Publisher:
- Commission for Social Care Inspection
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 55p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This CSCI report seeks to examine the experiences of disabled parents and their families and to see how far council policies, services and practice are providing appropriate support. The findings in this report are taken from a national survey of 50 councils; of the 70 interviews, 36 were conducted with representatives of adults’ services and 32 of children’s services, and two were conducted with a representative from each service jointly. To supplement the national picture, in-depth study workshops of services were conducted in four council areas. The report finds that many councils do not fully support disabled parents and their children.