Caring for People with Learning Disabilities CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY The topics
المؤلف:
IAN PEATE & DEBRA FEARNS
المصدر:
Caring for People with Learning Disabilities
الجزء والصفحة:
P4-C1
2025-10-03
211
Caring for People with Learning Disabilities
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
The topics
It is impossible to discuss all elements of health and social care related to the person with a learning disability. We have arranged the topics in such a manner as to provide you with some insight into the intricacies associated with the care and support that may be required by an individual who has a learning disability. Primarily, we aim to provide you with the essence of care and a fundamental understanding of some of the issues that may impinge on a person’s well-being.
Central to “Working with Adults with Learning Disabilities” is the importance of fostering good working relationships with adults who have learning disabilities. Key concepts such as person-centered planning will be considered and debated in detail, as well as the diversity of the varying needs of adults with learning disabilities. Approaches to care are examined.
“Communication and Adults with Learning Disabilities” focuses on effective communication strategies that can be used for adults with learning disabilities; processes and forms of communication are outlined. It makes clear how important it is to assess social functioning, as well as communication skills, when determining need. There are those individuals who have communication problems, as a result of which communication policies must be developed to disseminate information in accessible formats; some of these formats are outlined. In addition, there will be discussion concerning barriers to communication, including non-verbal communication processes.
Caring for and supporting the individual who presents with behaviors that may pose challenges are outlined in “The Importance of Managing Behaviors which Pose Challenges”. There are various methods that may be used to support and manage a person with learning disabilities when their behavior poses problems. Interventions will be examined and placed within the context of ‘normalization’ principles underpinning learning disability care and provision. It points out that over-reliance on psychotropic drugs can often result in poor outcomes as a consequence of their use. Management strategies will be discussed and outlined.
“Protecting ‘Vulnerable’ Adults with Learning Disabilities” provides the reader with an understanding of how to protect the ‘vulnerable’ adult who has learning disabilities from exploitation and abuse; protection is seen as paramount. This Topic will outline policies and procedures that are in place to ensure the protection of the ‘vulnerable’ learning disabled adult and identification of the ‘vulnerable’ adult ‘at risk’. The Topic uses the No Secrets publication to demonstrate that there is no place to hide when it comes to exposing the abuse of vulnerable adults (Department of Health and Home Office 2000). The Topic draws upon the legal framework in place, identifying voluntary and statutory provision. “Legislation and Learning Disabilities” discusses the framework and other legal issues further.
The incidence and prevalence of mental ill health in adults with learning disabilities is higher than within the general population. In “Mental Health Issues and Adults with Learning Disabilities”, vulnerability factors are discussed and highlighted, including how these may contribute to mental health difficulties. Issues around diagnosis and treatment are explored. The topic emphasizes the point that those who have a learning disability as well as a mental health illness should be able to access services and be treated in the same way as anybody else.
“Epilepsy and Adults with Learning Disabilities” focuses on the person with a learning disability who also has epilepsy. Epilepsy is defined and the categories of epilepsy outlined. The management of epilepsy will be examined and strategies discussed. The use of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) will be examined in the context of recently published National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines as well as the National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions (Department of Health 2005c).
Fulfilling the health potential of adults with learning disabilities is central to care; “Health Promotion Perspectives for Adults with Learning Disabilities” discusses health promotion initiatives. These activities consider some of the special health needs of adults with learning disabilities and how they can be empowered to meet these needs. Discussion of opportunist health promotion and health promotion activities will be included; emphasis is placed on making health material accessible to those who have learning disabilities.
Since the text will consider a range of issues related to health and illness and the impact on adults with learning disabilities, “Biophysical Aspects of Learning Disability and Down’s Syndrome” describes some biophysical aspects of anatomy and physiology, identifying how these may relate to specific syndromes, e.g. Down’s syndrome. Fundamental aspects of the physical characteristics of Down’s syndrome will be examined in relation to specific medical issues, such as heart and circulation, the digestive system, etc. This will be followed by discussion of potential difficulties that the adult with Down’s syndrome may encounter, such as congenital heart defects and hypertension.
Caring for adults with learning disabilities will inevitably involve ethical, moral and legal issues. “Protecting ‘Vulnerable’ Adults with Learning Disabilities” has already begun to address these issues; "Legislation and Learning Disabilities" continues to address other concerns, such as civil rights. Often, these issues are complex; this topic highlights ethical theories and focuses on the legal ramifications in such a way that the reader is able to relate them to practice.
The final topics addresses the rights of adults with learning disabilities to marry and have children; this is at the heart of Valuing People (Department of Health 2001). The number of people with learning disabilities who are forming relationships and having children has steadily increased over the last 20 years. This brings with it many challenges, hopes and aspirations. This topic discusses anti-discriminatory practice, drawing on the discussions made in other topics, supporting parents and examining practical aspects of inter-agency working that can support parents with learning disabilities, whilst being aware of issues of child protection and children ‘at risk’.
We hope that by using this text to support your practice, you are able to advocate and support the person with a learning disability in a variety of settings. We are delighted that you have chosen to care for and support those who have learning disabilities and we are confident that you really will make a difference.
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