Research news

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

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

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

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

Parent peer support is important for families with children who have LDs

Parent peer support provides practical, social and emotional help

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

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

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

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

Value of learning disability nurse role in children’s hospitals

Can learning disability nurses enhance perceptions of capacity among hospital staff?

Outcomes after feeding gastrostomy insertion to reduce aspiration

Feeding gastrostomy insertion may not cut respiratory infections in people with LD

Unplanned hospital readmissions of older people with learning disabilities

Hospital readmissions among older people with LDs compared with the general population

Hearing voices group for people with learning disabilities piloted and evaluated

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

How deinstitutionalisation of adults with learning disabilities affects quality of life

Movement to community settings associated with improved sense of independent decision-making

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

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

People with learning disabilities could benefit from mindfulness sessions

Study shows that a mindfulness group boosted confidence, self-control and compassion

How austerity has eroded learning disability services

Years of austerity has affected the quality of care for people with learning disabilities

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