Dave Atkinson
Picture shows a child scratching himself. Relying too much on observed stereotypical and repetitive behaviour may result in incorrect diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in people with a learning disability and sensory impairments, a study suggests.
Beware diagnosis of ASD based on stereotype behaviour
People with learning disability and sensory impairments can be wrongly diagnosed as autistic
15 Jan 2020
Picture shows an older woman talking to a therapist. A new study shows the wider lifestyle benefits associated with PBS-based approaches and the need to capitalise on these gains.
Lifestyle gains linked to positive behaviour support
Study shows lifestyle benefits of PBS-based approaches and need to capitalise on these gains
15 Jan 2020
Picture shows a young male who is autistic. Research shows nearly half of autistic children have anxieties specifically associated with autism and commonly related to sensory experiences.
Exploring anxiety in young people with autism spectrum disorder
Autistic children anxious over sensory experiences, phobias, unpredictability and change
15 Jan 2020
Picture shows a young male holding a smartphone. This article reports on a study showing social media presents opportunities for people with learning disabilities, but those supporting them must be alert to risks including cyberbullying and exploitation.
Social media risks for people who have learning disabilities
Use of social media presents opportunities, but also risks of cyberbullying and exploitation
11 Nov 2019
Parent peer support is important for families with children who have LDs
Parent peer support provides practical, social and emotional help
11 Nov 2019
Picture shows a woman and a boy sitting on a hospital bed, reading a book together. Nurses interviewed about caring for children with learning disabilities in acute settings stressed the need to be adaptable and flexible
Nurses need more exposure to children with learning disabilities
In interviews, nurses on acute paediatric ward stress need to be adaptable and flexible
11 Nov 2019
Picture shows a model depicting a depressed teenage boy sitting by a window. Learning disability and autism significantly increase the chances of having a mental health condition and are also predictive of poorer general health, a study shows.
Effects on health of learning disabilities and autism
The links between learning disability and autism on mental health and poorer general health
10 Sep 2019
Image shows a social care manager talking to a member of staff
Exploring workforce retention issues in learning disability services
Retention can be influenced by factors such as job satisfaction, pay and being part of a team
10 Sep 2019
Picture shows an adult filling a syringe while a small child watches. For almost all vaccinations, at all ages, vaccination rates are lower for children with learning disabilities, a study shows.
Children with learning disabilities may miss important vaccinations
At all ages, almost all vaccination rates are lower for children with learning disabilities
09 Sep 2019
Unplanned hospital readmissions of older people with learning disabilities
Hospital readmissions among older people with LDs compared with the general population
11 Jul 2019
Outcomes after feeding gastrostomy insertion to reduce aspiration
Feeding gastrostomy insertion may not cut respiratory infections in people with LD
11 Jul 2019
Value of learning disability nurse role in children’s hospitals
Can learning disability nurses enhance perceptions of capacity among hospital staff?
11 Jul 2019
Hearing voices group for people with learning disabilities piloted and evaluated

Global mental health service-user movement suggests links to past trauma

10 May 2019
How deinstitutionalisation of adults with learning disabilities affects quality of life
Movement to community settings associated with improved sense of independent decision-making
10 May 2019
Developing resilience and self-efficacy in parents of children with complex health needs
The effectiveness of an intervention to engage parents in guided support with nurses
10 May 2019
An exploration of staff attitudes to discontinuing use of antipsychotic medication
Study shows anxieties of care staff need to be addressed when cutting such medications
11 Mar 2019
People with learning disabilities could benefit from mindfulness sessions
Study shows that a mindfulness group boosted confidence, self-control and compassion
11 Mar 2019
How austerity has eroded learning disability services
Years of austerity has affected the quality of care for people with learning disabilities
11 Mar 2019

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