Dementia in Down syndrome: Are we ready for a clinical trial?

down_syndrome_shutterstock_76649257-2

Leen Vereenooghe summarises the TOP-COG study (Towards Onset Prevention of COGnitive decline in adults with Down syndrome). This pilot RCT highlights the need to educate people with learning disabilities and their carers about the importance of research participation.

[read the full story...]

Trends in antipsychotic prescribing in autism

8098699800_489cd3ac5c_k

Angela Hassiotis and James Dove summarise a recent meta-analysis of antipsychotic prescribing and use trends in US youth with autism spectrum disorder and/or learning disabilities.

[read the full story...]

Let’s talk about sex! Sexual consent for people with learning disabilities

7474387954_5c533a1cbd_k

Nick Burton presents a recent literature review about the right to legal capacity to consent to sex for people with learning disabilities. He highlights a number of important questions that staff need to consider so that they can support people with learning disabilities to have healthy sexual relationships.

[read the full story...]

Mental illness, challenging behaviour and psychotropic drugs #UCLJournalClub

1280px--The_Conversation-,_1963_-_NARA_-_558908

Join us at 2-3pm on Wednesday 18th May for the #UCLJournalClub, which will be live broadcasted on YouTube and live tweeted by the @LearningDisElf

[read the full story...]

Psychotherapy for people with learning disabilities: the views and experiences of IAPT practitioners

Psychological therapists and occupational therapists were not included in this qualitative study of 27 mental health staff, which is a shame.

Reed Cappleman critiques a recent study of IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Treatments) practitioners’ experiences of providing therapy to people with intellectual disabilities.

[read the full story...]

Stigma increases psychological distress in people with intellectual disabilities

Bullying

David Steele reports on a recent cross-sectional study, which found that stigma was linked with increased psychological distress and poorer quality of life in people with intellectual disabilities.

[read the full story...]

“It can still happen here”: institutionalised abuse of people with learning disabilities

Screen Shot 2014-05-09 at 11.48.34

Hannah Morgan reflects on a literature review of empirical evidence and wider social research, which seeks to place the abuse of people with learning disabilities in a broader cultural context.

[read the full story...]

Complex Behaviour Service: is it really an enhanced model for challenging behaviour?

6382897719_f95af896cb_b

Rachel Allan appraises an observational study, which evaluates a complex behaviour service for people with challenging behaviour. The service, which used the principles of positive behaviour support, showed some short-term improvement, but this was not maintained at 12 months.

[read the full story...]

Should we recommend CBT for depression in people with learning disabilities?

CBT

Leen Vereenooghe summarises a systematic review of the use of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) to treat depression in people with learning disabilities.

[read the full story...]