Whats behind the behaviour? By Autism Peeps

I found this picture on Face Book and I really like it. Always think there is a reason behind human behaviour and this explains some reasons behind autistic peoples behaviour. Always look for the reason, always look for the trigger. 


This was published with the kind permission of 'Autism Peeps' who can find them on Face Book here.

#NHS70 Service of Thanks at Westminster Abbey

On the 5th July I had the privilege of attending the 'A Service to Celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the National Health Service'. I was there as a guest of Dr. Jean O'Hara, Clinical Director of Learning Disabilities, NHS England, who I shall say a big thank you to for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

We arranged to meet by the statue of Millicent Fawcett. I had never heard of this lady until Jean told me the story. Millicent was a pioneer of the suffragette movement and she became the leader of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, the main suffragist organisation in Britain. She held this post until 1919, a year after the first women had been granted the vote in the Representation of the People Act 1918. 

So we headed off to Westminster Abbey. The queue to enter was rather long but Jean walked straight to the front and showed the guards our pink tickets. The guard said we could go straight through and head to the front of the Abbey. I was really surprised because we didn't get our bags searched like everyone else and we walked the whole length of the Abbey to find our seats. We were sitting with the MP's and the NHS leaders. I felt like I was really important but then I remembered how important Jean is!


There was about 45 minutes until it started, so I took this opportunity to take it all in. The first thing I noticed was how I was dressed compared to everyone else. All the men had suit and tie on, even the odd bow tie. The women could have been going to a wedding or Royal Ascot. So many fascinators and not a bride or groom in sight. I have been to Westminster Abbey when I was at school. I had forgotten how beautiful the building is and full of history. We discussed what historic events that had been held here, like royal weddings, funerals and coronations.

It was 12 o'clock and everything worked like clockwork, you can see they have done this so many times before. The choir came in first, singing perfectly and then followed by Countess of Wessex and the Archbishop. I felt quite sad for the Countess, who had to sit by herself, on the alter with everyone staring at her, but I imagine she is used to it by now. Once all the officials were in we sang the first hymn 'Praise, my soul'.

Then came the most touching speech I have ever heard. It was a talk by a young teenager called Freya Lewis. She spoke so eloquently and not a sight of nerves. She told us about her story of the NHS who cared for her. She and a friend were at the Manchester concert last year when a bomb went off. Her friend sadly died at the incident and Freya suffered catastrophic injuries. Every part  of her body was injured, she broke both legs, one arm, had internal injuries and I can't imagine how this would affect your mental health. Freya was in hospital for five weeks and went through thirteen operations. She is still an outpatient fourteen months after that tragic night. But her speech was quite positive as she spoke about the courageous, kind and empathy of the NHS staff who cared for her. From the ambulance crew on the scene, to the nurses and doctors in A & E and on the ward, the physio's, occupational therapists and the list goes on. She was so thankful to the NHS and she is now raising money for the hospital that cared for her. Her total so far is £15,000. She is a true hero, an inspiration to us all. You can hear an interview with Freya here.

Next was a reading by Jeremy Hunt and then a very positive speech by Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England. He reminded the audience of how and why the NHS started in 1948, how whoever you are, from whatever background you come from, if you are rich or poor, whatever your religion is, whatever your sexuality is - you will always receive free care from the NHS. He spoke about how the NHS responded in times of crises like Greenfell, July 7th bombing, the nerve agent incident at Salisbury, the list goes on and on but the NHS is always there in times of crisis. He praised the nurses who came over to the UK on the Windrush boat and the diverse workforce of the NHS.

Sir Simon concluded his speech by looking to the future and what challenges we will face. I think he never actually mentioned people with learning disabilities and/or autism in his speech but we as an NHS has got to make some radical and urgent changes to our practice if we want to be a truly inclusive society.

The ceremony concluded with representative from the different parts of society saying the prayers and we all said the 'Lords Prayer'. Then it was finished.

This was an amazing experience and although I'm no longer religious this was a reminder of how our culture developed over centuries and how we get a sense of 'being British' means. I would like to finish this blog by saying a massive thank you to Jean and for all of your dedication to people with learning disabilities over the years.

 



LGBT or LGBTQ? Just involve us please

June every year is 'Pride' month. Its used to know our history, raise awareness, stop stigma and discrimination. But most of all its a celebration!


Part of LGBT history is the Stonewall Riots that happened in Greenwich Village in the United States of America on June 28th, 1969. This was in response to police raids. It is widely believed that this started the gay liberation movement.

This gentleman above is Harvey Milk. In 1977 he became the first ever openly gay elected official in the history of California, USA. I have read a lot about this man and he was for ever for standing up for the rights of gay people. He was an official of the supervisory board of San Francisco. He served for only 11 months when he was shot by a previous political competitor. They made a film about him called 'Milk', which starred Sean Penn. I haven't seen it but its on my list to do.

On the 7th July this year its the 'Pride March' which starts off in Trafalgar Square and ends up in Hyde Park. I've never been but its a goal of mine. Large crowds really affect me, due to my autism but I'm working on it. Above is the rainbow flag, the official flag of the LGBT community. In the USA large companies like McDonalds, Burger King and Starbucks are using the rainbow flag on their merchandise during Pride month. Would happen 10 years ago? Times are changing.

There has sadly always been infighting between the different groups within the LGBT community. It started off in the 1970's between the gay men and lesbian women. Now there are so many different groups that need to be heard, like pansexuals, asexuals and the list goes on. But what I think has never been recognised in the LGBT community is people with learning disabilities and/or autism who are gay. We face double discrimination and are a small percentage of the general population, let alone the population of people who are LGBT. People with learning disabilities and/or autism are disabled and often find it difficult to be accepted by the general population but throw in 'being gay' to the mix and it becomes even harder.


With the Adult Learning Disability Service of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust they have just started a group for staff and people like me. Its early days of the group but I am really looking to joining the group and having my voice heard!


Richard
Self Advocate

Our inspirational son Oliver

Oliver had a brilliant life. He enjoyed college, playing football and was an amazing athlete, in training to become a Paralympian. Oliver was fun and laughed a lot. He loved life and being with his family. He was very bright, achieving GCSE and BTEC qualifications. But on 11 November 2016, aged 18, he died in hospital care.


We never imagined this could happen. When we had taken him to A+E we thought he would be in hospital for a couple of days at the most, and he would be able to go to college the following week as planned.


As a result of having meningitis as a baby, Oliver had mild Cerebral palsy, partial seizures and a mild learning disability. He had high functioning Autism too. His additional needs were not obvious, but anxiety was a challenge for him.


When Oliver turned 17 his seizures increased and on several occasions he had to spend some time in hospital. His seizures caused him to become anxious, scared and agitated. His Autism became magnified.


In October 2016, when he was 18, Oliver was admitted to an adult hospital having partial seizures. He was conscious throughout and was very scared and distressed. I gave the staff Oliver's Hospital Passport detailing how his Autism and learning disability affected him, and how to make reasonable adjustments. This was placed in a drawer without a glance.


Several doctors were talking to Oliver at once, using complex language that was hard to understand. When Oliver wanted to walk around (a normal part of his seizure activity) he was restrained, which heightened his anxiety.


Oliver had said in the ambulance he did not want to be given antipsychotic medicine. He said this again in the hospital, as did we. When on this medication in the past we had seen Oliver’s behaviour change in a way we had never seen before  - hallucinating, tearing at his skin with significant increase in seizure activity. We also knew that Oliver was not psychotic or mentally ill. Previous senior consultants had said the same thing. The doctors in A+E wrote "antipsychotic medication" in red in the allergies box on all of Oliver's ICU patient 24 hour care charts.


Oliver was eventually sedated. A few days later, against Oliver's and our wishes he was given the antipsychotic drug, called Olanzapine. 


Doctors said it was to control his behaviour when he woke up. Oliver did not normally display challenging behaviour; he was a very calm and mellow person. 


Sadly, Oliver never woke up; the Olanzapine caused him to develop something called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. His brain swelled so badly it was bulging out of the base of his skull, and he died.


If the doctors and nurses were trained to understand how to make reasonable adjustments for him as someone with Autism and a learning disability, they would have known how to adapt the environment to meet Oliver's needs.


They would have had the training to support Oliver's medical, social and emotional needs effectively. They would have known how important it was to adapt their communication, such as using humour to settle his anxiety in a crisis, and help stop it escalating further.


When doctors were making the decision about how to manage potentially challenging behaviour as Oliver came out of sedation, they should have properly explored alternatives to using antipsychotic medication. There was time to do this, and to consult with the professionals in the community who knew Oliver best. But these things didn’t happen.


I truly believe that ignorance of learning disability and Autism cost Oliver his life, and we must never allow this to happen to another person like him.


Paula McGowan


Reproduced with the kind permission of Paula McGowan and Mencap

Sign my petition

Paula has launched a Government petition for all doctors and nurses to receive mandatory training in learning disability and Autism.


Sign the petition to support this and help doctors and nurses receive training in order to be able treat patients effectively and correctly as they want to be able to.

Sign now

How we can make a change

Mencap's Treat me well campaign report states that 1 in 4 doctors and nurses has never had any training on learning disability. This is unacceptable.
That's why I've launched a Government petition so all doctors and nurses get the mandatory training which could have saved Oliver's life.
Please sign my petition and help me to help our doctors and nurses to receive mandatory training in Autism and learning disability awareness so they have the ability to treat patients effectively and correctly as they want to be able to.

Can You Understand It? team present at Learning Disability Today!

The Can You Understand It? (CYUI) team were delighted to be invited to the Learning Disability Today Study Day. Sunny and John with Steve and Sharon delivered a workshop on 'Communicating with people who have a learning disability'.


We developed our presentation a few weeks before the event. After we wrote the presentation we then had two dry runs whilst timing ourselves. We have a slot of 45 minutes on the day. We finished after 40 minutes and left 5 minutes for questions. We impressed ourselves!


On the day we met at Charing Cross train station under the clock tower. We then got the Northern Line tube to Camden Town. The conference was being held at ORT House, which is a lovely venue and is full of history of the Jewish people. There was a book stall there and they had our book on display. We felt proud!


We started the workshop by introducing ourselves to the 29 delegates. We told them about the work of the CYUI? team and the process of how you get a job with the team.

Then came a role play which focussed on 'patient experience in a hospital'. Sunny played the patient and John was the keyworker. Sunny was going to have his blood taken in outpatients. He couldn't find where you get your blood tested. The hospital called it 'phlebotomy' but a nurse (played by Sharon) was really helpful and pointed them in the right direction. They arrived and met a rather grumpy receptionist (played by Steve) who was more interested who won the X Factor. There was good and poor examples of how you communicate in the role play and the audience were asked if they can recognise them.


The next section was 'how much do you know about easy read information'. We were please to see that all the delegates had a good grasp of what easy read is.

Sharon explained the accessible information standards that the NHS is required to follow with every patient. We also discussed other laws that help with communication, like the Mental Capacity Act (2005). We then went through the top tips of producing easy read. One of the interactive exercises we did was asking the delegates to translate difficult words into easier to understand terms. Here's an example:

We concluded the workshop by giving them example of using easy read is a small change but makes a real difference, like communication passports. Then John finished if off with presenting the 'Bill of Rights'.

 

We had some excellent questions from the audience and they were really interested in our work. Sunny said:
'It was great to meet people who are interested in easy read and stand up for the rights of people with learning disabilities'.


It was a wonderful experience which we really enjoyed. We would like to thank Jan, Graham and Barney from Pavilion Publishing for being so welcoming and holding such a great event.

Antony runs the London Marathon for Mencap!

This year I ran the hottest London Marathon on record and am still wondering how I managed!

I have previously completed 3 London`s (as the Pro`s call it!) and felt, at aged 46 and rising, that I had one more in me – my competitive soul would not enter unless I could beat my personal best of 3 hours and 43 minutes.

I trained hard and felt that I was fitter that I had been for many years and was better prepared than ever – then, seven days prior, I heard that Britain “would be looking forward to a heat wave peaking with temperatures of 25 degrees on the 22.4.2018” Errrr….not me thanks, I was looking forward to a chilly, overcast but windless and dry day please!

As the next few days grew hotter and hotter the race organisers sent daily information on tips and advice on what to do on race day and how to manage the heat – I realised my vulnerability when I was chased around the registration centre and “encouraged” to accept free hand outs of factor 50 sun cream!

I ran for 5 miles on the Thursday prior to race day and it was 27 degrees and a massive shock to my sun sensitive system – I was exhausted and struggled to complete my last short training run – as I collapsed on the floor when I got home i proclaimed to all that it was off – that there is no way I can run 26.2 miles in this heat, forget it!!

On race day I prepared well and was ready for the day and race ahead – I walked across Blackheath at 08:30 and felt the sun`s strength already – although not 27 degrees I knew that it had to be respected and began to feel happy that I had experienced it`s potential on Thursday evening. I hydrated well and was ready to head all the good advice to take it easy and “go slow” I told myself that if I could get to halfway and feel good then I would continue…

I was in pen 2 so part of first wave of starters and was on my way at 10:05…It was hot but I felt good and began to feel the atmosphere of the immense crowds – 2 or 3 deep all the way round – I saw some family and friends and I was buzzing – I kept an eye on my trusty watch and pace was good and steady – On track for an unexpected PB?

I felt good halfway, I felt good at 14 miles and was happy at 16…at 18 miles I began to lose focus, some may describe the “wall” and imagine a physical barrier – for me it is emotional and psychological and I kind of lose heart or the will to continue – I just kept telling myself that if I could get to 22 miles (only a park run away) and pass Tower Bridge then I would be good again – I pushed myself to reach Tower Bridge and knew I could finish – This was the “home straight” all the way down the Embankment to the coveted Pall mall and Buckingham Palace – As I passed Tower Bridge I felt a wave of adrenalin and waved at the crowds who continued to encourage me and give me strength – I pushed as hard as I physically could and began to sense the finish – as I passed the houses of parliament the miles became yards but physical and mental exhaustion was challenging me – keep pushing, keep pushing I was shouting and then I was there , the finish in sight and my emotions exploded – As I ran over the finish I broke down – 8 months of training, hundreds of miles and pavements tread and this was it – finished! 3 hours and 52 minutes! Whoop whoop!

 

I would like to thank all of the anonymous cheerers along the way, all of Oxleas staff who supported me and my chosen charity Mencap who provided support throughout and whose cause kept me going for 26.2 miles.

I vowed never again but the lure of the London was too much! Here’s to next year.

Thanks, Antony

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust  

First participants to attend Good Mood Group have completed the course with success!

Bromley Mental Health in Learning Disabilities Team has

launched a new group for adults with learning disabilities

living in Bromley. Six participants joined the first ‘Good Mood

Group’ for a six week course. They learned about mental

health, how to stay mentally well, and strategies to cope with

stress, what to do if they become mentally unwell, and

created staying healthy plans.

The group was set up and run by Mental Health in Learning

Disabilities Specialist Nurses Jill Davies and Lindsay Gordon.

They were joined Student Learning Disabilities Nurse

Cormac Smith from University of Greenwich.

Feedback from the group was positive and they suggested

the course should run for longer. They also said they enjoyed

meeting new people, learning new things and being able to

bring along their fidget spinners!

Everyone in the group received a certificate, and will meet

one more time in the summer to talk about how they got on

with their staying healthy plans.

Jill and Lindsay plan to start another Good Mood Group

running for 8 weeks, this autumn.

Bromley Mental Health in Learning Disabilities Team

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Second class citizen's - health inequalities

I used to be a member of The Tuesday Group in Lewisham. Yolanda and Glory were also members of the group. Sadly they have passed away. Yolanda was 48 years old and Glory was in her early fifties. Its really sad but they are just a statistic and does the NHS really care about the lives of people with learning disabilities?


I saw the LeDeR report was published in early May. It was a shocking read and people are still dying much younger than the rest of the population. Also 1 in 8 people die with receiving poor care and neglect. This makes me so angry. This is the United Kingdom and the year is 2018. But for people with learning disabilities we are treated as second class citizens, facing prejudice on a daily basis and I just think that people don't care about us. We have known about the early deaths of people with learning disabilities for years and report after report and nothing has changed.


I saw that Jeremy Hunt sneaked out of parliament when he was asked about LeDeR. That was so rude and he shows no respect to people with learning disabilities. I think NHS England should respond to this report instead of saying nothing and hoping that it goes away, until the next report.


In Lewisham we had a talk about the sad death of Connor Sparrowhawk. Everyone knew he had epilepsy and no one thought it would be a good idea to support him during bath time? It is unbelievable. We were told last week of a young man called Oliver McGowan who also died whilst in hospital. Absolutely shocking. These young men had their lives in front of them but it was taken away by those who are supposed to be caring.


I train staff about reasonable adjustments. I think all staff in the NHS need training about people with learning disabilities. How to communicate with people should be a priority. Also training on recognising pain in people with severe and profound learning disabilities. Also to be told the right terminology, don't use the 'R' word.


I could go on and on but I will finish it with this. The NHS is celebrating 70 years. We will lucky if we reach 60, let alone 70! I won't be celebrating a NHS that doesn't care about people with learning disabilities. I will be  raising a glass for Yolanda, Glory, Connor and Oliver. You may be gone but never forgotten.


Peter Cronin
Self Advocate

Oxleas Learning Disability Bulletin for May 2018

Welcome! The purpose of this bulletin is to keep you in touch with news from the learning disability world in a monthly digest. We hope to include information on the latest policy and research along with easy read information. If you have any requests for information or if you want to share with the Oxleas learning disability community please send them to Steve Hardy or Jill Davies.


If you would like to receive an email alert about future bulletins please send an email to Steve Hardy.

All links are written in blue or grey and worked on the 23rd May 2018. 


Stories of the month
Save the future of Learning Disability Nursing!

Please sign this petition and share it for others to sign.
Fund Universities to explore new routes into Learning Disability Nursing - 11th May, Sean Ledington
5 ways to attract people into learning disability nursing
Exclusive: Half of learning disability nursing courses 'considering closure' - 9th May, Nursing Times
Need for campaign to halt slide in learning disability student nurses, says network leader - 8th May, Nursing Times


The LeDeR report and news about it
You have probably seen the news this month and this greatly saddened me. Then on May 15th the Can You Understand It? team were presenting at Learning Disability Today event in London. You see the LeDeR presenter was on before us and left easy read versions of the report. Sunny (member of the CYUI?) asked me 'what's that about'? I softened the news but then he asked 'how old are people with learning disabilities when they die'? Do you tell him its 29 years earlier than the wider population? Do I just keep to the facts? Well I told him and the look on his face. So what have the government or NHS England done since this report was published? Well I haven't seen anything, have you? I would like to invite an MP or even Jeremy Hunt to come and explain to the 'Can You Understand It?' team why they die so much younger and why has nothing improved when we have about these facts for years or even decades............

The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review Annual Report 2017 - LeDeR Team
LeDeR Programme: Progress update  - 9th May, LeDeR Team
An open letter to Jeremy Hunt … - 13th May, Katherine RC
Are we really learning from preventable deaths? - Helen Cairn, Certitude
Enough is enough - making reasonable adjustments - Steve Hardy, ALDatOxleas
He wanted to live: Sister tells of anger over poor NHS care that 'robbed life' of brother who had learning difficulties - 4th May, ITV

Jeremy Hunt walks out of Learning Disabilities Mortality Review - 10th May, Nursing Notes
Learning disabilities mortality review finds 'very troubling' levels of abuse and gaps in care - 8th May, Care Appointments
One in eight learning disabled deaths affected by service failures, report finds - 11th May, Community Care

Poor NHS care contributed to deaths of 13 people with learning disabilities - 4th May, Guardian

And to finish with a positive story of the month....

Boy With Autism Walks Onstage, Brings Judges To Their Feet With Michael Jackson Classic

Blogs

Boy with Asperger’s Gives the Natural History Museum a Lesson on Dinosaurs - Elizabeth Nelson, The Autism Site
5 Things I Want You to Know About Being an Autistic Person - Karli Slomka, The Mighty
10 Autism Parenting Experiences That Will Make You Say “Yup, That’s Basically My Life” - A. Stout, The Autism Site
Amidst The Noise This Mental Health Awareness Week, There’s One Voice You Might Not Hear - Prof Dame Sue Bailey
Are our assumptions about autism and AAC all wrong? - Kit Albrecht, Assistive Ware
Don't judge a book by its cover - Matthew Lager, TASH
Dual diagnosis: learning disability and mental health - Gemma Miller, Learning Disability Today
Everyone with ASD Is Different. But These 21 Experiences Are Familiar to Many Autism Families - A. Stout, The Autism Site
Girls with autism flying under the radar but new guidelines could help doctors with diagnosis - Emma Taylor, ABC
How Art Therapy Is Helping Children with Autism Express Themselves - Autism Baydarkh
“I’m Scared That I’m Going to Die Before Liam Can Live Independently:” This Dad’s Account Is So Raw - The Autism Site
It all made sense when we found out we were autistic - BBC
John and Sunny presentation to the Nursing Direcorate Makaton Friendly DJ Jay Entertainer - Jake Glennon, ALDatOxleas
Making our own music again - Chris Hatton
‘My Son Has Autism and a Purposeful Life’ - Autism Baydakh
Promoting the right to health for older people with learning disabilities - Ruth Northway, University of South Wales
Richard's story - ALDatOxleas
This Boy Is Graduating High School Even Though He Can Barely Write a Sentence - Elizabeth Nelson, The Autism Site
Keeping well event! - ResearchNet, ALDatOxleas
Why did I decide to become a Learning Disability nurse? - Lauretta Ofulue, University of Northampton
7 Things Not to Say to the Parent of a Child With Sensory Processing Disorder - Brian Bell, The Mighty

Books
Out now
10 Rules for Ensuring People with Learning Disabilities and Those Who are on the Autism Spectrum Develop 'Challenging Behaviour': ...And Maybe What to Do About it by Damian Milton
10 rules for ensuring autistic people and people with learning disabilities cannot access healthcare by Viki Ainsworth and Jim Blair
A mismatch of salience  by Dr. Damian Milton
AUTISM UNCENSORED: Pulling Back the Curtain - Whitney Ellenby
Autism in a Decentered World  - Alice WexlerAutism and Intellectual Disability in Adults Volume 2 - Dr. Damian Milton and Prof. Nicola Martin

Autism in a Decentered World - Alice Wexter
Behavior Support for Students with ASD: Practical Help for 10 Common Challenges - Debra Leach
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Thinking creatively - Andrew Jahoda et al
Citizenship Inclusion and Intellectual Disability: Biopolitics Post-Institutionalis​ation - Niklas Altermark 
Difference Not Disorder: Understanding Autism Theory in Practice - Dr. Catherine HarveMaking friends at work: Learning to make positive choices in social situations for people with autism - Saffron Gallup
Person-centred Active Support Training Pack (2nd Edition) - Julie Beadle-Brown, Bev Murphy and Jill Bradshaw
Sexuality and Learning Disabilities (2nd edition) - Dr Claire Bates
Successful Health Screening through Desensitisation for People with Learning Disabilities - Lisa Harrington and Sarah Walker Safeguarding Adults: Key Themes and Issues - Gillian MacIntrye and Ailsa Stewart

Forthcoming books
13th June 2018
Social Survival: A Manual for those with Autism and Other Logical Thinkers - Amy Eleftheriades

21st June 2018
A Guide to Programs for Parenting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities or Developmental Disabilities: Evidence-Based Guidance for Professionals - John R Lutzker et al


21st June 2018
Successful Social Stories™ for Young Adults with Autism: Growing Up with Social Stories - Siobhan Timmins


1st July 2018
I Am Me: My Personal Journey with My Forty Plus Autistic Son - Marlene Ringler


1st July 2018
Belonging and Social Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities - Iva Strnadova


22nd January 2019
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment in Schools -  Laura Dilly and  Christine Hall


18th April 2019
The Moulster and Griffiths Nursing Model: A Framework for Learning Disability Nursing Practice - Gwen Moulster et al


1st January 2020
An Introduction to Intellectual Disabilities - Mary Beirne-Smith and James R. Patton

Can You Understand It! Team News

The Can You Understand It? team are delighted that they wrote the first chapter for 'Learning Disability Today' - 4th edition! The chapter is entitled 'What does having a learning mean to us?'. Buy the book here.


Courses

NEW! Autism Awareness Diploma Course - Centre of Excellence
NEW! Transforming learning disability services - Online course from NHS England


MSc Ageing Health & Wellbeing in Intellectual Disability - Trinity College Dublin
MSc Developmental Disorders - University of Nottingham
MSc Disability Studies: Inclusive Theory and Research - University of Bristol
MSc/PDip Intellectual Disability Nursing - AIT, Ireland
MSc in Intellectual Disability Nursing Practice - DCU Ireland
MSc Psychology and Learning Disability - University of Portsmouth
PCert, PDip, MA Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - The Tizard Centre, University of Kent
PGDip/MSc Adults with Learning Disabilities who have Significant and Complex Needs – Distance Learning - St Andrews University



Easy Read

A family at work - Books Beyond Words


A Good Day's Work - Books Beyond Words


Choosing My First Job - Books Beyond Words


Glory Wants a Job - Books Beyond Words


Events

23rd May 2018, Dublin, Ireland
Enacting advocacy in intellectual disability nursing: developing guidelines for practice


24th May 2018, Niagara Falls, USA
30 Years of Awareness- 2018 Developmental Disability Awareness Day Conference

7th - 8th June 2018, London
Jack Tizard Memorial Lecture and Conference – Expert analysis, new research: what works


12th June 2018, London
Best practice in supporting parents with learning disabilities




21st June 2018, Crawley

Kent, Surrey & Sussex Learning Disability Community of Practice conference


22nd June 2018, Cambridge
Sensory Lexicon


29th June 2018, Manchester
Sensory Lexicon



5th - 6th July 2018, London
The Super Sensory Lexicon


9 - 10 July 2018, Manchester
The Patient Safety Congress 




13th July 2018, Nottingham
Sensory Lexicon


28 November 2018, London
Learning Disability Today Exhibition and Learning Day



Guidance and resources

Brilliant Site! People with learning disabilities: making reasonable adjustments - Gov.UK


Autism guidance for health professionals - National Autistic Society

Blood tests for people with learning disabilities: making reasonable adjustments - Public Health England


Care and support of people growing older with learning disabilities  - NICE


Learning Disability, Autism and Human Rights - accessible booklet produced by British Institute of Human Rights

Making reasonable adjustments to postural care services - Gov.UK




Married – but without the capacity to consent to sex? - 21st April, Community Living






Postural care and people with learning disabilities  - Gov.UK



Tips for Tackling Toothbrushing in Children With Oral Sensitivities - The Mighty




Journals

Advances in Autism
Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities
Autism Journal
Autism Parenting Magazine 
British Journal of Learning Disabilities
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research
Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities
Learning Disability Practice
PMLD Link
Tizard Learning Disability Review






News concerning people with learning disabilities and/or autism

10 Percent of Walgreens’ Workforce Is Now Employees with Disabilities - The Autism Site


Alaska will no longer allow workers with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage - 20th Feb, Think Progress


Autistic man Ashley Peacock remains locked up a year on  - New Zealand Herald


Coffee shop hiring people with disabilities is ‘human rights movement,' owner says - 7th April, Fox 29


Disability & services give voice to people with learning disabilities - 9th April, Options, Thailand


Disabled boy sent home in agonising pain as Bristol Children's Hospital had 'wrong bed' - 18th May, Bristol Live


Disability hate crime reports surge but victims may not even be aware it is an offence - 9th April, Bristol Live


Employable Me: the ABC's brutally honest portrait of job hunting with a disability - 3rd April, The Guardian


Gary Numan: ‘Eye contact is something I find incredibly difficult’ - 28th April, The Guardian


Hollyoaks casts actress with autism Talia Grant in major role - 23rd April, Radio Times


How inclusive is Croydon? An interview with Club Soda- an organisation run by people with learning disabilities- Aditi Rammohan Croydon High School - 30th April, Local London


Judge gives Leeds NHS bosses go-ahead for C-section on pregnant woman with learning disabilities - 10th May, Yorkshire Post


Leeds museum’s new sculpture is inspired by industrial past - 30th April, Yorkshire Evening Post 



Leicestershire parents create brilliant video to Pharrell Williams' Happy for National Autism Awareness Day - 7th April, Leicester Mercury


Man died after choking on sausage and mash at Sheppey care home - 2nd May, Kent Live


Mum says autistic son was thrown off bus for not looking like his photo ID - 15th May, Gazette Live


People growing older with learning disabilities should get regular health checks, says NICE - 11th April, NICE


Plymouth people with autism losing their benefits because of new test - 10th April, The Herald


RNIB and subsidiary under investigation over abuse allegation - 5th April, The Guardian


Scheme helps people with learning disabilities to become independent travellers - 16th May, Eastern Daily Press


'Sesame Street' theme park becomes world's first to get certified autism designation - 3rd April, Cincinnati.com


'Sarah is part of my family’: the house-sharing scheme for vulnerable adults - 18th May, The Guardian


Sport IS for all...and disability is just part of the challenge - 1st April, Daily Gazette


Stay Up Late’s call to business -  9th April, The Argus


What life is really like for families living with autism in Liverpool - 8th April, Echo


Voter ID Reforms Could Take Away My Vote - 3rd May, HuffPost


Reports

Hidden in plain sight: dementia and learning disability - The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

Ordinary houses in ordinary streets: Independent social care and housing solutions for people with learning disabilities  - Northern Ireland Mencap



Research

Autism advocacy and research misses the mark if autistic people are left out


Autism and the criminal justice system research to be presented at international conference - University of Cumbria


Cognitive behavioral therapy can improve emotion regulation in children with autism - York University


Here's how personal assistants can support decision making - Noraj Fry Centre


How to better safeguard people with learning disabilities from forced marriage - University of Nottingham

New research shows misperceptions of autism abound in community - Australian National University