British Journal of Learning Disabilities

Emerson, Eric

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00587.xpmid: N/A

Approximately one quarter of a million European citizens who have mental handicaps also show severe self‐injurious behaviours. The consequences of such behaviour can include secondary infections, physical malformation, the acquisition of additional sensory or neurological impairments, and even death. Severe self‐injury can also lead to people being excluded, neglected, and abused. If services are successfully to face up to the challenge presented by severe self‐injury, they will need to develop ways of accurately identifying and responding to people's unique needs.

Bridgen, Patricia; Todd, Margaret

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00588.xpmid: N/A

This paper explores one possible approach to caring, in a community setting, for people with mental handicaps who exhibit challenging behaviour. The advantages and disadvantages of a special unit and the flying squad approach are addressed. One model of care which attempts to use both approaches is discussed, with the emphasis on individual case management.

Tompkins, Alan; Carpenter, Barry

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00589.xpmid: N/A

Further education, post‐16, for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties is rarely debated. Improvements in educational provision for children with such handicaps, however, has led to an examination of how they will spend their latter years of statutory education.

Barr, Owen

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00590.xpmid: N/A

The respondents for this study were 57 second‐ and third‐year students in Registered General Nurse (RGN) training.

Wood, Andy; Firth, Hugh; Holtom, Rebecca

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00591.xpmid: N/A

Involuntary relocation within long‐stay institutions has been common. Recent policy has led to the rapid contraction of many large hospitals, with consequent disruption to many of the people living in them.

Howell, Hilary; James, Judy; Abbott, Kerry

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00592.xpmid: N/A

As services for people with mental handicaps move away from institutional methods of care, parents and professionals are becoming concerned with how to monitor and improve community‐based services. “Quality assurance” has departed from the notion of outsiders checking up on a service and has shifted towards more self‐evaluation by “stakeholders”. Stakeholders can include service users, staff, parents, neighbours, and friends.

Doherty, Ingrid E.; Houston, Julia C.

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00593.xpmid: N/A

The present study describes the group treatment of dog phobia in people with mental handicaps. The method was based on that described by Dixon and Gunary (1986) and the aim was to see whether their procedure could be shortened and still remain effective. Eleven sessions were held with a group of six adults. The techniques used included graded exposure, modelling, and video feedback. Fear responses were rated during each session.

Humphreys, Martin; Hill, Lena; Valentine, Shona

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00594.xpmid: N/A

This article describes briefly how the authors set up and ran a psychotherapy group for eight young adults with mental handicaps to look at interpersonal and sexual relationships. At the outset an attempt was made to anticipate possible problems and to identify ways in which these might be avoided. Despite this, a wide variety of minor difficulties were encountered relating to all aspects of the group. The identification and discussion of these problem areas has been one of the major ways in which the authors have learned from this work, and from which others wishing to set up similar groups might benefit.

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00595.xpmid: N/A

doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1990.tb00596.xpmid: N/A

Book reviewed in this article: