We investigated the performance of 13 adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability (ID), relative to 13 age-matched controls, on three tasks of emotion recognition (emotion categorisation; recognition of valence; and recognition of arousal), using a number of ‘basic’ (angry and happy) and more ‘subtle’ (compassionate and critical) emotional expressions, as well as the posers face in a default relaxed (i.e. ‘neutral’) state. Importantly, the sample was drawn from a community-based initiative and was therefore representative of populations' government schemes target. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - www.sssft.nhs.uk/library
This week we held a breakthrough Learning Disabilities Conference - Using primary care data to plan better services for people with learning disabilities - where we launched the first round of a new set of national and local information data from GPs about the health of people with learning disabilities and the care they get. The conference was a great success, generating lots of discussion among stakeholders on the new indicators and the light they shed on why this group suffer a 20 year deficit in life expectancy. The indicators should help to improve adjustments to health care and health promotion for people with learning disabilities and point to ways of reducing health inequalities for them. They are expected to play an important part in the revamped annual learning disabilities self-assessment process. There will be further publications to come from this data.
The programme and the slides from the day can be downloaded here
Following our 2015 survey it was evident that many people that use IHaL resources would like regular email updates about our work. We are anticipating sending an update every two months. These will include links to recent publications and information about forthcoming events. If you would like to receive this email then please contact us at LDT@phe.gov.uk
Little is known about the role of behavioural executive functioning (EF) skills and level of intelligence (IQ) on math abilities in children with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities has launched a survey that aims to map the current hate crime initiatives around the UK. There are lots of different schemes and projects happening out there - for example, disability awareness training in schools; third party reporting sites; safe places schemes; helping people to have a circle of support and developing training to educate people with learning disabilities.
A new national plan launched by NHS England today vows to support people with learning disabilities to lead more independent lives and have greater say about the support they receive.
Under the plan, people with learning disabilities and/or autism will be given a greater say in the support they receive and the number of hospital beds for them will be halved.
NHS England has today announced a £1.75m investment in an innovative family-based initiative to help more people to be cared for in a home, not a hospital.
The Shared Lives model will support people who have needs which make it hard for them to live on their own, by carefully matching them with a carer to share their family and lives, giving care and support in the community.
People using the scheme may have learning disabilities, dementia, mental health problems or other needs which require long or short term support. It will offer them the opportunity to either live with their matched and approved Shared Lives carer, or visit them regularly for day support or overnight breaks.
The physical activity level of older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) is extremely low, and their fitness levels are far beneath accepted norms for older people with normal intelligence and comparable with frail older people. A physical activity programme, including an education programme, was developed for older adults with ID using behaviour change techniques. The programme aimed at improving or maintaining adequate levels of physical activity (primary outcome measure) and motor fitness, cardio respiratory fitness, morphologic and metabolic fitness, activities of daily living, cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms (secondary outcome measures). Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
We know little about the correlates of mental health problems in youth with severe and profound intellectual disability (ID), as most research includes these youth within larger samples that include greater proportions of mild and moderate disability. The purpose of the current study was to identify the child, family and psychosocial characteristics that were associated with the presence of psychiatric diagnoses and maladaptive behaviour in youth with severe ID. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
This blog looks at a recent study which aimed to examine the experiences and views of IAPT workers about providing therapy for people with learning disabilities. The authors hoped to examine therapists’ views of perceived barriers, solutions, and any relationships between therapist factors (i.e. training, experience) with their attitude and confidence when working with people with learning disabilities.
Reflections: We are six nursing students who recognised that people with learning disabilities, and their carers, can sometimes receive care which does not meet their needs. They also have some of the poorest health in the country. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Self-determined behaviour is composed of multiple, interrelated component elements, and yet little empirical study has researched the self-determination components other than choice making and goal setting. Also, few theoretical relationships have been drawn between the component elements of self-determined behaviour and the impact of disability category. Therefore, this study examined profiles of the combination of three self-report measures of component elements of self-determined behaviour (autonomous functioning, problem solving and internal locus of control) between two groups (ID and learning disabilities/emotional disorders). Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
The natural response to the intrusive bodily sensation is positional change. This study explored how children and young people (CYP) with intellectual disabilities had their comfort needs met when using adaptive positioning equipment. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
To understand issues around carer roles that affect carer involvement for people with intellectual disabilities in acute hospitals. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
My Health Guide is an app for iPads and Android tablets, as well as a web service, that puts adults with learning disabilities at the centre of their health care.
My Health Guide enables people who struggle to communicate to have a voice, and to be empowered about their health care.
It lets adults with learning disabilities capture what’s important for them and helps them manage their health care.
Families and friends can keep in touch using the web interface, and healthcare professionals can stay on top of what’s happening in the lives of learning-disabled adults.
People with an intellectual disability (ID) have complex and different patterns of healthcare needs. Poor participation in primary health care contributes to the high levels of undetected and unmanaged health issues and premature deaths of people with an ID. Limited research is available on the characteristics of people with an ID, their reasons for consulting general practitioners (GPs), and if these differ to people without an ID. Gaining such insights may provide an avenue to better understand patterns of primary care use and potential gaps in usage by people with an ID given their complex health profile compared with people without an ID. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
2 June 2016: A report published today provides an overview of the number of people with learning disabilities and/or autism receiving inpatient care in hospital.
This article deals with the issue of restrictions that are placed on people with a learning disability in legally giving consent to sex. The discussion explores whether legal capacity in relation to sex is being determined on an equal basis for people with a disability, and those without, in England, Ireland and Wales.
The key issues raised are:
People with a learning disability are not able to make decisions about sex in the same way as those without.
Current legislation denies people with a learning disability the right to be decision makers.
The incompatibility of much of the relevant national laws with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) article 12 (2006).
The article proposes an alternative model of assessment which could achieve article 12 compliance whilst meeting the need to prevent sexual abuse.