http://hdl.handle.net/10147/47920 Search the Channel search http://www.lenus.ie/hse/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/10147/128278 Title: Report of the National Reference Group on multidisciplinary disability services for children aged 5-18<br/><br/>Authors: Health Service Executive (HSE); National Reference Group Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/122586 Title: Literature review on provision of appropriate and accessible support to people with an intellectual disability who are experiencing crisis pregnancy<br/><br/>Authors: O'Connor, Joan<br/><br/>Description: The Crisis Pregnancy Agency [2] and the National Disability Authoritycommissioned this systematic review of Irish and internationalliterature to identify international models of good practice regardingcrisis pregnancy counselling and support services for women with anintellectual disability experiencing a crisis pregnancy. A further aim ofthis review was to inform the future development of guidelines for crisispregnancy counsellors and GPs on providing appropriate and accessiblesupport to people with an intellectual disability who are experiencingcrisis pregnancy.For the purpose of the review, a crisis pregnancy is defined as “apregnancy which is neither planned nor desired by the woman concernedand which represents a personal crisis for her”. [3] This definitionincludes the experiences of those women for whom a planned ordesired pregnancy develops into a crisis over time due to a change incircumstances. It is important to state that, within the review, not allpregnancies experienced by women with an intellectual disability areassumed to be a crisis pregnancy.The main findings and commentaries of the review of the literatureinclude the following:• The review of literature demonstrated international legislation,structures and codes of practice on capacity to consent of anindividual with an intellectual disability incorporating consent tomedical treatment decisions. While there is protective legislationinternationally addressing capacity to consent to sexual relationsfor this group, this area remains less developed in relation toassessment of capacity to consent. In addition, there was onlyone study retrieved over the course of the review relating to crisispregnancy among individuals with an intellectual disability, asdefined by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency.2 Since this review was commissioned the Crisis Pregnancy Agency has beenintegrated into the Health Service Executive (HSE) and is now the HSE CrisisPregnancy Programme. It is a national programme working within the Childrenand Family Social Services Care Group in the HSE.3 Crisis Pregnancy Agency definition of a crisis pregnancy, as set out by theStatutory Instrument, S.I. No. 446 of 2001, the Crisis Pregnancy Agency(Establishment) Order, 2001.PAGE 17• The pattern of contraceptive use amongst women withintellectual disability differs widely from that of the non-disabledpopulation. Longstanding research confirms the Pill, DepotMedroxyprogesterone Acetate and IUDs are the only methodsused by most women with learning disabilities, with barriermethods being reported as unheard of. It has been argued thatthe prescribing of these particular methods of contraceptionassumes that women with learning disabilities are incapable orunreliable when it comes to contraceptive decision-making andmanaging their fertility (McCarthy, 1999). As such, decisionssurrounding the use of contraception may be made by others onbehalf of the woman.• International models of best practice and related supportsregarding capacity to consent to medical treatment amongwomen with an intellectual disability are considered, includingthe functional approach to capacity, providing for longerconsultation periods with primary care practitioners, theprovision of appropriate sex education and resources and theadoption of an individualised, person-centred, multidisciplinaryapproach to sexual health care for persons with intellectualdisability.• Legislation on capacity to consent to sexual relations existsin other jurisdictions, and varies in the degree of protectionprovided versus autonomy allowed. Laws that prohibit sex withpeople deemed unable to consent to sex are based on the needto protect individuals with an intellectual disability as they areassumed to lack capacity to consent to sexual relationships. InIreland Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993falls under this category and serves to criminalise sexual activitywith a person who has a ‘mental impairment’ and who is notmarried. Thus, it may be an offence to engage in sexual activitywith a person with an intellectual disability, even if the personconsents.• The review considers the complex area of capacity to consentto sexual relations and the protective legislation that exists inPAGE 18international jurisdictions including laws which prohibit sex withpeople deemed unable to consent to sex, laws which incorporatea functional approach to assessment of capacity to consent tosexual relations, generic laws applying to sex without consentand laws which prohibit specific sexual relationships.• There is a lack of empirical evidence on the individual experienceof crisis pregnancy, pregnancy and childbirth among womenwith intellectual disability, to inform professional practice. Thereis limited research related to how a woman with intellectualdisability conceptualises her pregnancy and whether it wasunplanned, unwanted or a crisis for her. The research that doesexist suggests that the number of women with intellectualdisability having children is increasing and that when a womanannounces her pregnancy, the reactions of people close toher are almost exclusively negative. Other challenges faced bywomen with an intellectual disability experiencing pregnancyand parenthood include accessing sexual health information,accessing sexual health services, inadequate information andnegative attitudes to pregnancy and parenthood among serviceproviders and the wider community.• The review considers the importance of early presentation tomedical services when a woman with an intellectual disabilitydiscovers her pregnancy. Furthermore, it considers pre- andpost-natal supports for women experiencing pregnancy, as wellas supports for their families and carers.• A consistent finding in the international literature is that motherswith intellectual disability experience poverty, anxiety andsocial isolation and tend not to have the necessary supports inplace to cope with difficulties that they encounter as parents.Furthermore, the research has established the importance offamily and social support networks as well as information andeducation in assisting mothers with an intellectual disability inraising their children.PAGE 19• The review considers the literature relating to how the family,social networks, carers and professional services can facilitatewomen with an intellectual disability to achieve the bestoutcomes for themselves as parents and for their children. Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:27:55 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/112293 Title: Evaluating parent-professional partnership: partnership as perceived by parents of an early intervention service for children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder within a city health board area of the Republic of Ireland<br/><br/>Authors: Mallia Borg Rachel<br/><br/>Description: The importance of parents and professionals working in partnership has been discussed in academia for many years. However, professionals and parents today face several challenges when working together in the area of services for children with disabilities. A qualitative study was conducted, using a case study approach, to explore the perceptions of parents in an early intervention service for children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This service fell within a city health board area in the Republic of Ireland. Postal questionnaires were completed by thirty parents and semi-structured interviews were held with six mothers whose child had previously availed of the service, in order to explore parents’ views of the parent-professional partnership relationship. Participants identified the following six themes when discussing the topic of parent-professional partnership:Communication, Equality, Mutual Trust and Respect, Personal Qualities, Commitment and Service Provision. Analysis revealed that parents appreciated professionals who communicated effectively, demonstrated commitment and understanding, promoted equality and valued the family. Service provision had an impact on the way parents and professionals worked together; suggesting that aspects such as the quantity of service also affected the partnership. Tue, 05 Oct 2010 07:59:04 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/108638 Title: Friendship and taboos: research on sexual health promotion for people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities in the 18-25 age range. Results of a consultation process and literature review<br/><br/>Authors: Foley, Sharon; Kelly, Grace Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/99554 Title: Report to the Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health as provided for under section 13 of the Disability Act 2005<br/><br/>Authors: Health Service Executive (HSE) Fri, 21 May 2010 11:01:01 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/57433 Title: Strategy Statement on Physical & Sensory Disability (Mid-West Region)<br/><br/>Authors: Mac Mathuna, Liam<br/><br/>Description: 5-Year Strategy on Physical & Sensory Disability Services in Mid-West Region Tue, 28 Nov 2000 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/57393 Title: Strategy Statement on Intellectual Disability (Mid-West Region)<br/><br/>Authors: Mac Mathuna, Liam<br/><br/>Description: 5-Year Strategy on Intellectual Disability Services Provided in Mid-West Region Sun, 29 Oct 2000 22:58:59 GMT