Learning disability and autism training 

This is a summary of the peer-reviewed article: Effects of learning disability and autism training on healthcare professionals’ perspectives and practice: a scoping review by India Butler and Daniel Marsden

The article presents a scoping review of the literature on learning disability and autism education, and training for healthcare professionals and how this may affect their perspectives and practice. Lack of awareness of the adjustments that may be required in communication and to support autonomous decision-making can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes and avoidable deaths in these populations.

Main findings

Training for healthcare professionals is important in terms of creating ‘autism-friendly environments’ and reducing health inequalities. Healthcare staff often feel unprepared to support people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people and there is often under-identification and misdiagnosis, particularly in autistic people without learning disabilities.

Comorbid mental health issues are common in people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Improved screening protocols for mental health conditions are required to ensure early identification and support for autistic individuals.

Nurses often lack adequate knowledge of guidelines and best practices for supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people, however the literature focuses primarily on medical and allied health professionals, leaving gaps in research about nurses' expertise.

Training programmes, especially those co-produced with experts by experience, can positively affect healthcare professionals' knowledge and practice. Following training programmes, short-term improvements in screening for learning disabilities and autism were reported, but long-term changes require further research.

There is a need for suitable accommodations for autistic people, such as longer appointment times, quiet waiting areas and continuity of care to improve accessibility.

Summary

Learning disability and autism training is generally beneficial for healthcare staff, particularly in enhancing their knowledge and screening abilities. However, there is limited evidence on the specific behavioural changes resulting from training. Co-produced training with experts by experience can lead to better outcomes, but further research is required to explore its cost-effectiveness. More research is also needed on the long-term effects of mandatory training on staff and from the perspectives of patients in terms of improving care.

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