Use of specialist occupational therapists within residential learning disabilities: a justified case?

Abstract

The principles of ‘social role valorization’ ( Wolfensberger 1983) advocate access to general primary health and social care facilities for individuals with learning disabilities alongside the rest of the population. Throughout the UK, there has been a variety of responses to employing specialist staff for people with a learning disability. Specialist learning disability occupational therapists with specific experience and skills in learning disabilities are employed by some National Health Service (NHS) trusts, whereas generalist occupational therapists with skills in assessing and providing intervention for issues concerning physical disability are employed by other trusts and social services departments. This article presents the findings of a small‐scale study of the use of specialist occupational therapists in residential homes within one NHS trust. It presents the views of community staff regarding their clients' needs in relation to specialist and generalist occupational therapy input. Recommendations are provided for the possible use of specialist and generalist occupational therapists for the clients and staff within community learning disability residential health and social care homes.

A cascade of disparities: Health and health care access for people with intellectual disabilities

“…While multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approaches are generally preferred in the support of persons with ID, the recent literature also provides descriptions of the role of specific disciplines. These include a strengths-based approach for social workers [Russo, 1999], use of specialist occupational therapists in residential settings for persons with ID in the United Kingdom [Adams, 2000], and improved nursing care of elderly people with ID in the United States [Fisher, 2004b]. A series of professional development articles on ID offer continuing education nursing credits in the United Kingdom on topics such as health promotion [Bollard, 2002], sexuality of persons with ID [Savarimuthu and Bunnell, 2003], and improving services for people with ID [Williamson and Johnson, 2004].…”

Professional Roles in Community Mental Health Practice: Generalist Versus Specialist

“…They argue that when staff share tasks and operate outside of their areas of expertise, there is a loss of efficiency in practice. Other authors have seconded these claims and also pointed to the larger detriment to services and service users who depend on the expertise of health professionals and the specialist skills and knowledge offered (Adams, 2000;Grieg & Peck, 1998). Harries and Gilhooly (2003) stated, "If too much time is spent on generic work, there will be clients with unmet needs" (p. 102).…”

Occupational therapists' perceptions of the role of community learning disability teams

“…Tannous (2000) state that occupational therapists' intervention with people with learning disabilities and high‐support needs was related to the areas of self‐maintenance productivity/education and leisure/play. Adams (2000) found that community staff perceived their service users' needs for occupational therapy as predominately related to physical disability. Specialist areas such as challenging behaviour, sensory integration and sexuality were all cited as areas of service users' needs but were managed well by specialist nursing staff.…”