We wanted to find out what support and information is available to girls and women with learning disabilities about periods (also called ‘menstruation’) over a lifetime. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the impact of the ED approach on the prescription of psychotropic medication during inpatient psychiatric treatment. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We invited participants ...to take part in the current study on sleep–wake rhythm, mood and behaviour in older adults with IDs 1 year after installing environmental dynamic light installations in the common living rooms of six group homes. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The main objective of this study was to evaluate gait parameters in people with intellectual disability (ID) and without intellectual disability (WID) in two different walking conditions [single task vs. dual task (DT)]. A secondary aim was to evaluate the dual-task cost (DTC) that the DT causes in each group. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the changes in gait deviations and walking speed in adults with DS after a DS-specific exercise programme. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We tried to find out why some older adults with intellectual disability may have poor bone health and are at risk of breaking bones. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Sometimes women with learning disabilities do not go for these checks, and we wanted to find out why. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We studied three separate autistic samples, each of which differed in how they were diagnosed and how they were recruited. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We asked 33 autistic adults from two industry-led employment programmes about their experiences in the programmes. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Little is known about the parenting experiences of autistic mothers, especially those who have daughters who are not on the autism spectrum. In this study, we interviewed seven autistic mothers who have raised or are currently raising non-autistic teenage daughters. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We co-produced an online self-guided self-compassion program based on evidence-based self-compassion practices for autistic adults called the Self-compassion Program for Autistic Adults. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We examined the use of person- and identity-first language (PFL, IFL) in scholarly writing about autism by reviewing 12,962 journal abstracts from 11 autism research journals (mostly covering the years 2001–2022). To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study uses a qualitative approach to investigate the healthcare experiences of autistic adults. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study aimed to analyse the blood lipid profile of a large DS cohort to establish a baseline for evaluating health risk parameters. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This review focuses on community and in-patient approaches to meeting a complexity of need. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We aim to determine the effectiveness of lifestyle modification interventions and their components in targeting health risk behaviours in adults with IDs. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study aimed to understand how lifestyle modification interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities work, for whom they work and in what circumstances. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) often present deficiencies in motor, balance and postural control. On the other hand, the practice of physical activity and dance usually reduces these deficiencies. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the control of the centre of pressure (COP) in people with Down syndrome (DS) or other causes of ID in relation to people without disabilities and to observe the influence of vision and the practice of dance. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The project is dedicated to finding and sharing healthcare practices that enhance the lives of people with learning disabilities. As part of our ethics applications to access National Health Service study sites for fieldwork, we worked together to write guiding principles for co-producing research ethics with researchers with learning disabilities. In this paper, we introduce these Participatory Ethics Good Practice Guidelines and reflect on our collaboration. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We piloted a person-centred method to enable one young person's (Dominic) voice to be included in his transition to adult services. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Here, we present the first revisions of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for autism, based on research, development results, and community feedback. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
...we explored the gender dysphoria experiences of 15 Japanese autistic transgender adults... To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
A meta-ethnographic approach was used to review the existing research on autistic adults’ experiences of accessing healthcare. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study investigated the experiences of 39 autistic adults who participated in an autism-specific online self-compassion program. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The broad autism phenotype refers to a group of behaviors related to autism spectrum disorder, but that appear to a lesser extent. Its assessment has been performed through outdated broad autism phenotype/autism spectrum disorder definitions and tests. To address this problem, this study presents the development of a new test, the Broad Autism Phenotype–International Test... To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study suggested that social media can provide important information about autism to autistic people. We interviewed 12 autistic adults (aged 18–49 years) and talked to them about the use of social media to find both general information and content specifically about autism, autism identity and online autistic communities. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In this preregistered study, we developed a task to investigate whether autistic adolescents and adults with limited or no phrase speech (N = 31) have learned English orthographic conventions. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
For this review, autistic and non-autistic researchers looked at research on the experience of receiving a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder as an adult. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This article explains the importance of using a systematic approach to health assessment and describes various elements of communication involved in this process. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study included people with intellectual disability who had ever had a PEG inserted and who presented to the specialist Speech and Language Therapy team in one Greater Manchester borough... To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
People with intellectual disability die from some illnesses that could be avoided. This is a bigger problem in people with intellectual disability than in people without intellectual disability. We searched for evidence about what we could do to prevent these illnesses. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We aimed to investigate the perspectives of clients and their carers on clients’ treatments with psychotropic drugs. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Special attention is required when considering any educational intervention aimed at its promotion and development. Our objective is to conduct an umbrella review of systematic reviews that gather evidence from relationships and sex education programmes tailored for individuals with intellectual disabilities. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
What has happened to people's health and healthcare as we move beyond the pandemic? To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In this two-part study, electronic medical records (EMRs) were leveraged to examine co-occurring health conditions... To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In a published systematic review, we reported evidence about the process of deprescribing psychotropic medicines... To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study explored the accuracy of two commonly used autism screening surveys for adults: the RAADS-R and the RAADS-14. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We wanted to find out which topics autistic people in Scotland want to see research on. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In the past 40 years, accumulating evidence suggested that autistic individuals are at an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This study examined the occurrence of various potential risk factors for lifetime suicidal behavior and suicidal thoughts in the past month in a Dutch cohort (Netherlands Autism Register) of autistic individuals... To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
‘Who, When, How to Share’ is a new programme that aims to support autistic adults in making decisions around sharing their autistic identity with others. The programme involves working through a self-help guide independently over 3 weeks with optional peer support. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Prospective memory helps us to remember to perform tasks in the future... The goal of this study was to determine time- and event-based prospective memory in autistic adults across the life span. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In our study, we looked at experiences of people currently seeking an autism diagnosis in the UK. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Advice for non-specialist nurses on adapting practice for people with a learning disability and autistic people
To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The aims of this review were to synthesise the outcomes of sensory approaches for adults with a severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities and describe the key intervention components. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
People with intellectual disabilities are living longer and are increasingly diverse, with health and care needs that are varied and complex. Without changes to funding, services have found it difficult to respond to needs and wishes... data were collected through questionnaire, focus groups and individual interviews from intellectual disability service managers, direct care staff and older people with intellectual disabilities and family members. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study aimed to determine the relationship between IDD levels, eating, drinking and swallowing problems and nutritional status in adults with IDDs. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The prevalence and risk factors of cholelithiasis in individuals with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities (SPIMD) are poorly characterised. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk determinants of cholelithiasis in a cohort with SPIMD under medical care in a residential facility. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Some autistic people describe trying to hide autistic behaviour and seem more neurotypical. Researchers called this ‘social camouflaging’ and have linked it with mental health difficulties. We used a step-by-step approach to identify research where autistic people talk about social camouflaging to explore the relationship between camouflaging and poor mental health. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
After receiving an autism diagnosis, psychoeducation (i.e. information regarding autism) is a first intervention. We adjusted a psychoeducation program that was originally developed by the Dutch Association for Autism for older adults to enhance its feasibility and efficacy in later life. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
...it is currently unexplored how social touch experiences of autistic adults are modulated by these factors. We sought to address this... To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study compared this scene construction ability between autistic (N = 55) and neurotypical (N = 63) adults. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Consistent with a “double empathy” framework, autistic adults often experience better interaction with autistic compared with non-autistic partners. Here, we examined whether non-autistic observers detect differences in autistic interactions relative to non-autistic and mixed ones. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Several measures have been developed to assess loneliness in the general population. Here, we examined if, and how accurately, widely-used measures capture the experience of loneliness in autistic adults. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Examination of specific domains of social functioning could broaden the explanatory possibilities. We illustrate this for the domain of navigating social hierarchies. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The aim of this research was to define the theoretical principles by which the gap between humanistic declarations and practice can be overcome...Further examination of the model and its application in practice is recommended. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This article discusses the barriers related to breaking bad news to people with learning disabilities. It also describes several tools – generic and specific to the learning disability field – which healthcare professionals can use to inform and improve their practice in this area. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
More than half of all people with learning disabilities will die before they reach 65, prompting researchers to call for radical changes in the way they receive end of life care, an area that research indicates is poorly understood. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This review aims to systematically identify and synthesise the published academic literature exploring cancer risk-factor and symptom awareness among people with IDs, carers and healthcare professionals. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We sought to identify possible specific high-risk factors by examining the clinical characteristics of people with ID admitted to hospital with constipation. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This article outlines factors that affect communication for people with learning disabilities during healthcare encounters, including communication challenges they may experience in relation to accessing health information and using digital technology. The article also explores strategies and tools nurses can implement to address these challenges and ensure effective communication with individuals. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study investigated differences in the clinical and demographic characteristics of individuals with intellectual disabilities delayed in assessment and treatment hospitals versus individuals who were not delayed. The study further investigated the clinical outcomes of the individuals whose discharge from the hospital was delayed. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
... this project aimed to explore how service users accessing a community learning disability team experienced waiting for psychological therapy. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We reviewed the research so far to look at differences in Social Motor Synchrony (SMS) (the way we move together) between autistic people and people they interact with. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
... key question exists, which is whether an autism diagnosis is always and entirely beneficial. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In this study, we created a survey in which we asked a relatively large sample of autistic and non-autistic people to rate their own and others’ mindreading abilities in relation to autistic and non-autistic others, respectively. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We examined whether obesity in middle-aged adults with Down syndrome is also related to an adverse metabolic profile. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
A systematic search was conducted across three databases (Ovid Embase, PsycInfo and Medline) and returned all papers comparing sleep in people with intellectual disabilities to a control group, published since the last meta-analysis on the topic. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study presents a strengths-based framework for designing virtual reality experiences tailored to the needs and abilities of autistic individuals. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This systematic review examined 26 studies that implemented interventions to reduce stigma toward autistic people... To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We aimed to explore the experiences of autistic people accessing healthcare, shining a light on the complex interplay of relevant factors and to explain, at least in part, the possible reasons underling health disparities and adverse health outcomes. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Intimate partner violence and sexual assault are under-researched experiences in autistic people’s lives. Recent research, however, has shown that autistic people are more likely to have been victimized than non-autistic people. This research, therefore, sought to explore the firsthand accounts of a range of autistic people about intimate partner violence and sexual assault. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The primary goal of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating habit training into an app-based meditation intervention to maintain reductions in depressive symptoms among autistic adults. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Shared Lives (adult placement) is a model of community-based support where an adult who needs support and/or accommodation moves into or regularly visits the home of an approved Shared Lives carer...This article presents findings from outcome measures focused on well-being for a sample of 39 people supported by Shared Lives in England. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In this research, we wanted to understand more about Autistic people’s experiences of inertia and to work out what things might influence these experiences. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study took place to find out what support autistic people need and want after receiving their diagnosis. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
There are large differences in the level of demographic, psychological, and lifestyle characteristics between autistic and non-autistic adults but also among autistic people. Our goal was to test whether these differences correspond to differences in underlying relationships between these characteristics—also referred to as network structure—to determine which characteristics (and relationships between them) are important. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study aims to understand whether social self-efficacy relates to mental well-being in autistic adults, and whether social identity plays a role in this relationship. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We explored the relationship between adaptive behaviour and cognitive function, executive function, and neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric comorbidities in our 3q29del study sample, and we compared subjects with 3q29del with published data on fragile X syndrome, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and 16p11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Evaluating intelligence using conventional tools is very complex in patients with Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS), as it is time consuming and requires levels of care that are difficult to sustain for this population. Therefore, we explore the ability of a brief test to assess intelligence in these patients. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Restrictions should only be used when there is immediate risk of harm – not to enable work to be done more quickly or easily. Such practices used inappropriately could infringe people’s human rights. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Multiple factors can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia for people with learning disabilities. Find out what symptoms are red flags and what to do if you are concerned. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This article explains the causes and consequences of cortical visual impairment, describes visual perception issues that commonly arise from ocular/retinal or cortical causes, and outlines how learning disability nurses can detect the presence of visual perception issues in service users. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of people with learning disabilities taking part in a gardening group. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Forty autistic adults participated in a study combining global positioning system community participation measures with survey and interview data on service use, including which services are most helpful in adulthood, barriers to services, and service needs. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study compared the neuromuscular control of the masticatory muscles in middle-aged, PWID and older adults. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The aim of the present paper is to investigate the association between specific cognitive dysfunctions and specific psychiatric symptoms and syndromes in people with IDD. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The aim of this study was to compare the level of emotional functioning as assessed with the SED-S with the SAED, SED-R2 and SEO-Lukas. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The authors concluded: –
This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence of a significant prevalence of bruxism among individuals with DS. The findings highlight the association of bruxism with other oral health issues and specific chromosomal abnormalities. Comprehensive oral health assessments, including diagnostic procedures like Polysomnography, are essential for addressing the unique oral health needs of individuals with DS'
In a sample of 724 adults from five study sites in three countries, a confirmatory factor analysis with a one-factor model was conducted on the entire dataset as well as in different subgroups. Furthermore, internal consistency was investigated using Cronbach's alpha. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
...this study explored how specific interests can help autistic individuals navigate social communication and interaction. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Traditionally, service provision for neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability and autism – where this has been available – has focused on the needs of children, but there is now increased understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders as lifelong conditions, often with an ongoing need for health and social care provision. Medical and allied professionals frequently report limited education in neurodevelopmental disorders both during their training and post-qualification. This article gives an overview of theoretical and practical considerations for training of psychiatrists and allied healthcare professionals in relation to neurodevelopmental disorders. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Despite numerous UK government policies aimed at reducing the number of autistic people and people with an intellectual disability in mental health hospitals, little progress has been made, with many experiencing lengthy stays that offer little therapeutic benefit. Once admitted, people are at risk of restrictive interventions and significantly delayed discharge, resulting in trauma. This article draws on the cases of four people to illustrate the limitations of current mental health system approaches to the challenges experienced by autistic people and people with an intellectual disability. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Supported decision-making may increase self-determination among adults with intellectual disabilities by encouraging and empowering them to make decisions about their lives to the greatest extent possible. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of mothers of adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland of providing support in decision-making. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
...the aim of this study was to establish cut-off points for levels of isometric handgrip and low limb explosive strength in children, adolescents and adults, which identify overweight/obesity in people with IDs and their respective associations. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Despite an increased likelihood of experiencing traumatic events and increased vulnerability, there are only few publications on trauma therapy for persons with intellectual disabilities (IDs). This pilot study for the first time investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) within this target group modified by Plain Language. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In the general population, sarcopenia strongly predicts early mortality, but this association is unknown in people with ID. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between sarcopenia and 5-year mortality in older adults with ID. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study examined whether autistic and non-autistic adults differed in their inclination to lie in everyday situations and the factors that underpin this. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Autism spectrum disorder requires a careful approach from professionals and a favorable clinical environment for dental care and assistance. This article aims To perform a literature review about oral health among people with autism spectrum disorder and dental management strategies for this group. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We investigated social discounting in autism and found that autistic adults were more generous than neurotypical participants, which was driven by greater generosity to socially distant others. Crucially, we also investigated framing effects during prosocial decision-making. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In this cross-sectional study, we explored the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as the prevalence and clinical correlates of reported experiences of violence and sexual abuse, in a clinical sample of 88 autistic adults with intellectual disabilities referred for mental health assessment. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.