Search results for ‘Subject term:"physical disabilities"’ Sort:
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Occupational therapy guidelines
- Author:
- AYRES Darren
- Journal article citation:
- Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International, 60, Winter 2007, pp.12-13.
- Publisher:
- National Centre for Disabled Parents
The author discusses the role of occupational therapy in empowering disabled parents, and explains how his team developed a model to assess and then provide support to disabled parents.
Preparing for adulthood: a systematic review of life skill programs for youth with physical disabilities
- Authors:
- KINGSNORTH Shauna, HEALY Helen, MACARTHUR Colin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(4), October 2007, pp.323-332.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
A comprehensive search of databases from 1985 to 2006 was undertaken to identify empirical studies of the effectiveness of life skills programmes for young people with acquired and congenital physical disabilities, including visual impairment. Six studies met the inclusion criteria (six from the USA and one from Canada), all using a multi-component group intervention containing a real world or role playing experiential component. Five demonstrated short term improvements in targeted life skills. Conclusions are limited because of the heterogeneity of interventions, skill focus, disabilities and outcome measures with respect to the effectiveness of individual components of the programmes. The findings are, however, promising enough to justify further research, and large scale, randomised controlled studies are needed.
Family developmental risk factors among adolescents with disabilities and children of parents with disabilities
- Authors:
- HOGAN Dennis P., SHANDRA Carrie L., MSALL Michael E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adolescence, 30(6), December 2007, pp.1001-1009.
- Publisher:
- Academic Press
This paper investigates how the learning environments and family dynamics differ if households have a child with a disability or a parent with a disability. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, results indicate that children with disabilities experience similar learning environments as other children, but have somewhat weaker relationships with their parents. In two-parent families, maternal disability lowers parents’ school involvement and is associated with a less enriching home environment. Paternal disability reduces maternal monitoring and positive family activities possibly because mothers divert care-giving resources from their children to their male partners. Children in mother-headed households experience learning environments and family dynamics that are similar regardless of their own disability status or that of their mothers, but these outcomes are markedly inferior to those of children growing up in two-parent households. Future research on adolescent development should consider the disability status of children and parents, with particular attention to patterns of gendered care-giving in American families.
From child to adult: an exploration of shifting family roles and responsibilities in managing physiotherapy for cystic fibrosis
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Brian, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 65(10), November 2007, pp.2135-2146.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Although chest physiotherapy is central to the management of cystic fibrosis many report problems with adherence. Research in other long-term conditions suggests that non-adherence may be exacerbated as the child grows older and self-care responsibilities are transferred to the young person. The authors explored the nature and variation in roles of family members, how responsibility was transferred from the parent/family to the child, and what factors aided or hindered this process The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 32 children with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis aged 7–17 years, and with 31 parents attending cystic fibrosis clinics in two Scottish regions. Family responsibilities were primarily focused on mothers. The level and nature of involvement varied along a continuum that separated into six parental and five child roles and changed over time. However, this movement was frequently reversed during periods of illness or mistrust. The day to day experience of such a transfer was not straightforward, linear or unproblematic for any of the family members. Three factors were identified as assisting the transfer of responsibility: parents’ perceptions of the benefits of transferring responsibility, children's perceptions of the benefits, and the available physical, social and psychological resources to support such a transfer. The principles and lessons from “concordance” (a therapeutic alliance based on a negotiation between equals and which may lead to agreement on management or agreement to differ) may provide a foundation for newly developing relationships between parents and their children emerging into adulthood. Further research is required to develop more specifically the content and structure of required support, its effectiveness in achieving more concordant relationships, and the resulting impact on adherence, perceived health and well-being from the perspective of the young person and parent.
State-designated special needs, post-adoption support, and state fiscal stress
- Author:
- HANSEN Mary Eschelbach
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 29(11), November 2007, pp.1411-1425.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The United States Adoption and Safe Families Act of 2007 and its 2003 reauthorization offered bonuses to states that provide more children waiting in foster care with permanent families through adoption. Under ASFA, a majority of states increased the generosity of post-adoption financial support. Moreover, states increased the number and proportion of adopted children that received adoption assistance because the child had a special need. Administrative data indicate that states more diligently recorded the special needs of children, which was necessary to support increases in state requests for federal reimbursements and performance bonuses.
The self-perceptions and interpersonal relationships of persons with significant physical disabilities: a qualitative pilot study
- Authors:
- RILEY Donald, DE ANDA Diane, BLACKALLER Carrie A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 6(3), 2007, pp.1-31.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A review of recent empirical research on variables associated with self-perception in people with disabilities is followed by a qualitative study of 13 disabled students at one US university. Participants were aged between 20 and 50, with six in their thirties. They were interviewed by telephone, the conversations transcribed and the data subjected to conceptual analysis. Extensive quotes are used to illustrate findings from this high achieving sample who attributed their positive self-perceptions and success in life primarily to supportive family relationships. Societal barriers, both practical and attitudinal, were also identified, together with the processes used to sustain a positive self-perception despite them. Women tended to report the influence of significant others in this respect, while males emphasised the effectiveness of their own personality characteristics. All the women reported that their disability hindered them in establishing and maintaining personal relationships, while men tended to attribute these problems to their own characteristics or to practical issues such as the difficulty of engaging in groups when in a wheelchair. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Adjustment to disability
- Authors:
- COHEN Carol B, NAPOLITANO Donna
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 6(1/2), 2007, pp.135-155.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Two case examples are used to illustrate the adaptations and life choices that are needed to meet the psychological, social and developmental needs of people who become disabled, and to enhance their self-esteem. The first focuses on a 50 year-old woman who had been profoundly deaf since the age of two, and was unable to lip read. Although succeeding in life, marrying and having children, she had ongoing psychological problems that dated back to her mother’s denial of her disability. The second case focuses on a middle-aged woman rendered quadriplegic by a spinal cord injury in her late teens. Her experiences focus on personal humiliation and stereotyping, discrimination in education and employment, the financial costs involved in remaining independent and the practical difficulties of getting reliable help. Both adjustment stories highlight the importance of integrating an ecological or systems framework that emphasises the inter-relationships between biological, psychological, social, technological, cultural and political factors. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
The need for short breaks and how to run them
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 27.09.07, 2007, p.24, 26.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
This article analyses research findings and highlights the importance of short break and respite care for disabled children and their carers.
Health professionals’ perceptions of feeding-related quality of life in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy
- Authors:
- MORROW A. M., QUINE S., CRAIG J. C.
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 33(5), September 2007, pp.529-538.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim was to identify the major determinants of feeding-related quality of life (QoL) in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy (QCP) from the perspective of health professionals to provide a framework for comprehensive clinical evaluation of health status in this group. A trained facilitator conducted five semi-structured focus groups during September and November 2003. Participants were recruited through the two paediatric hospitals in Sydney and community-based services, and included general and specialist paediatricians (n = 18), nurses (n = 15) and allied health professionals (n = 13), with an 80% response rate. All sessions were audio- and videotaped. nvivo software was used to facilitate thematic analysis of the transcribed audiotapes. Responses clustered into five themes: delivery of health services, parent–child interaction, the child’s physical and emotional well-being, and social participation. Participants thought the QoL of child and parent was inseparable. Parent–child interaction, delivery of services and physical well-being were the topics which prompted most participant interaction. These findings did not vary across disciplines. Health professionals identified five domains which provide a framework within which clinicians may comprehensively evaluate the health status of children with QCP and feeding difficulties. These five domains may also be used to inform a new feeding-related QoL instrument for use in this group of patients.
The politics of sexual citizenship: commercial sex and disability
- Author:
- SANDERS Teela
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 22(5), August 2007, pp.439-455.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper breaks a long silence by bringing together two areas of literature that have generally been considered separately: that of sexuality and disability with findings from studies on sex work. Presenting empirical findings from two studies, one with sex workers who work from indoor sex markets and the other with men who buy sex, this paper exposes the existing relationships and practices between men with physical and sensory impairments who seek out commercial sexual services from female sex workers. In the discussion the politics surrounding sexual rights and commercial sex will be addressed. In the context of commercial sex, quality of life issues, complex power dynamics and the common ground between disabled people and sex workers rights are discussed. This paper considers the negative aspects of promoting commercial sex for people with impairments, as well as the positive aspects regarding the wider campaign for sexual citizenship. It then sets out recommendations and a new research and policy agenda that investigates the complexities of commercial and facilitated sex.