Promoting social support and parenting skills in parents with an intellectual disability

family_shutterstock_80950111 (2)

Research has documented negative attitudes to parents with learning disabilities and highlighted the need for supports.

Here Kate van Dooren looks at a review of literature exploring support interventions for parents with learning disabilities.

[read the full story...]

Don’t Put Up With It! Video resource for women with learning disabilities affected by domestic violence

Targeting psychological and social factors, such as mental health, social support, well-being, societal perceptions and self-constructs, may alleviate loneliness and should be measured in loneliness interventions.

A recent research project set out to listen to and understand the experiences of women with learning disabilities who were victims of domestic violence. As a result, the project team produced a set of materials to provide information and advice.

Here we look at the video resource produced by the team.

[read the full story...]

Preventing the sexual abuse of children with learning disabilities; knowledge is power

autism children holding hands

In this post, Sian Anderson considers a narrative review of literature that focused on the sexual abuse of children with learning disabilities, looking at the extent and nature of such abuse and reactions to it.

[read the full story...]

Health surveillance, prevention and protection activities for people with learning disabilities could be increased

good_health_shutterstock_243780121 (2)

Health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities are well documented in the literature.

Here, in her debut blog, Sarah Richardson looks at the results of a survey of community learning disability nurses regarding their role in implementing public health policies, focusing on health prevention and protection.

[read the full story...]

Preventative healthcare – understanding uptake and barriers for people with learning disabilities

wellness_shutterstock_192697283 (2)

We know that people with learning disabilities experience poor health and unequal access to healthcare but what about access to preventative healthcare measures?

Here, in her debut blog, Angela Henderson looks at a Canadian study, which looked at matched groups of people with and without learning disabilities to look at rates of uptake of regular health checks and participation in cancer screening as indicators of preventative healthcare.

[read the full story...]

Challenging behaviour in profound & multiple learning disabilities: is support well planned and documented?

Upset6

The lives of some people with profound and multiple learning disabilities are affected by challenging behaviours, which include self-injurious, stereotypical, destructive, or aggressive behaviours.

Here in his debut blog, Paul Barnard looks at a study from the Netherlands which looked at whether challenging behaviour was being addressed formally in day to day practice.

[read the full story...]

Why multi-agency working, not accommodation type, is the key to better outcomes for people with epilepsy

tablets_shutterstock_114851935 (2)

Around half of all people with a learning disability have epilepsy and there are significant concerns about the impact of non-compliance with prescribed medications, which is linked with increased morbidity.

In her debut blog, Jill Hughes reflects on a study which set out to see if there was a link between the living arrangements of people with learning disabilities and compliance with anti-epileptic medication regimes.

[read the full story...]

Measuring the mediators: initiating, maintaining and interrupting interactions. How do support workers support social inclusion?

Dinner_Party-2

Being engaged in our community at a level, with which we feel comfortable, could be a measure of the quality of our lives. But how do workers who support people with learning disabilities help them in ways, which can achieve this? What helps and what gets in the way?

Here, in her debut blog, Paula Hopes looks at a naturalistic observation study that looked at this issue in more detail.

[read the full story...]

Safe and social – helping learning disabled people improve skills and understanding

safe_shutterstock_193134428 (2)

Some people with learning disabilities may find it difficult to learn social rules and behaviours, which can impact on involvement and engagement in their commnunities.

In her debut blog, Mandy Johnson looks at a project in the Republic of Ireland which set out to help people consider the desirability of a range of social behaviours and the complexities of social context.

[read the full story...]

Can early intervention reduce challenging behaviour in children with learning disabilities?

child_shutterstock_2406969 (2)

Children with learning disabilities are more likely to have challenging behaviours and as a result are more at risk of social exclusion, deprivation, physical harm and abuse.

In her debut blog, Alix Dixon considers the findings of a recent literature review of early interventions for children with challenging behaviours and their families.

[read the full story...]