Learning Disability Nurses/People with a Learning Disability

Lets work together….

Examine the role of the Learning Disability Nurses

Consider the needs of the service users we might be assisting

Discuss areas of Collaboration and good practice.

Nigel

Nigel is 19. He has Down’s Syndrome and a severe/moderate learning disability. He has some behaviours that challenge

He lives in a supported living environment but has Learning Disability Nursing support.

The Issues for Nigel

Nigel has glue earImpacted ear waxRecurrent ear infectionsConductive hearing lossRefuses to wear hearing aids or interact with audiologistHas some words, but wants to pleaseCannot recognise the change in his own hearing. Will exhibit behavioural need.. HeadbangingLearned behaviour

Self Injurious behaviour.. Ear pokingDiagnostic overshadowingUnderachievingProfessionals, family and carers are challenged by himWhat does he understand?What can he hear?Psychological impact of being differentCan Nigel see the benefit of aids???

The role of the learning Disability Nurse

Holistic nursing assessment… what is Nigel about? What is important to him, what does he understand? How is he able to communicate? Refer onto other agencies. How do his behavioural needs benefit him? How does Nigel’s diagnosis impact on his hearing? Work with carers.. Fill gaps in their knowledgeWorking with families around bereavement and dynamicsDesign care plans for Nigel and his staff to follow.

Use counselling and/or interpersonal skills to work out with Nigel what might be the problem in being an hearing aid wearer and the benefits of support.

Provide specific intervention around his health, psychological and behavioural needs.

Work with the person and reduce diagnostic overshadowing

Antecedents Behaviour Consequences

•Not experts on hearing needs

•Cannot provide a diagnosis of hearing need

•Thrive on working together!!!

We need

A clear diagnosis of hearing need (A)

Discussion about where learning disability and hearing needs overlap (LD/A)

Analysis of where the problem lies. Force field analysis. (LD)

Plan of action. Health action plan. Who will do what (LD/A)

Audiologist

Hearing assessment and diagnosis

Treatment plan

Working with child and family to support

Follow up

Learning Disability Nurse

Assistance with diagnosis, reiterating issues

Working with child and family to support, from a specialist LD perspective

Behavioural plan to support treatment plan

Reference: Good practice in learning disability nursing

Document type: Guidance Author: Department of Health Published date: 5 December 2007 Primary audience: Health and social care professionals, Directors, Human resources and training This document provides good practice guidance to support learning disability nursing to make a major contribution to the health and well-being of people with a learning disability in the future.Download Good practice in learning disability nursing (PDF, 263K)