Commentary on “Dietitians’ challenges when consulting to adults with intellectual disabilities”

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to consider issues around obesity and overweight for people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Design/methodology/approach: A review of the literature is provided looking at issues around overweight and obesity for adults with IDs. Both prevalence studies and intervention studies were considered. Findings:The prevalence of overweight and obesity is considerably higher for adults with IDs when compared to the general population. Intervention studies focusing on multiple components seem to be the most effective. However, future research should focus on randomised control trials taking into consideration the views of people with IDs. Originality/value: This paper synthesizes some of the available evidence on obesity and overweight for adults with IDs providing clear recommendations for the future

Religion and National/Ethnic Identity in Modern Greek Society: A Study of Syncretism

The present article is written as a theoretical exploration of the (actual, possible, or con - tingent) relations/processes that inform both the macroscopic and microscopic field of interactions between Orthodoxy and Hellenism in Modern Greek society. In particular, our exploration is interested in a social and cultural anthropology approach to Greek national/ethnic identity in the light, on the one hand, and through the application, on the other, of such categories as ‘syncretism’, ‘performance’, ‘cultural capital’, ‘subjectivity’, and ‘dialogic’. More specifically, the present article is divided into three parts: the first deals with a histori(ographi)cal periodization of the engage - ment that took place between the representations of Orthodoxy and those of Hellenism during the 19th and 20th centuries; the second is an account of certain indicative bibliographical references with regard to the issue at hand from a social sciences point of view; and, finally, the third part attempts to propose a typological and, at the same time, a phenomenological utilization of the above-mentioned cate gories, in order to signify at least the possibility of an expanded hermeneutic understanding of the differentiated, complementary, or even contradictory versions of the national/ethnic discourse about the symbiosis of Orthodoxy and Hellenism

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the lives of children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities in the UK: A scoping review

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyone in the United Kingdom when restrictions were put in place to prevent the spread of the disease. However, it is thought that children and young people (CYP) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) would be more affected than others due to existing inequalities and vulnerabilities. A scoping review methodology was used to ascertain what is known from academic literature about CYP with SEND in the United Kingdom. The findings indicate that existing inequalities for CYP with SEND and their families were exacerbated, with impacts on their mental health. Home-learning and home life was also challenging for many, resulting in difficulties with education and physical health. The majority say the experience was negative, but there was a minority who experienced positive impacts because of the restrictions. This minority voice is sometimes a sizeable minority so their views should not be overlooked. Even those who found it mostly negative reported some positives which are of interest. Participants were mostly parent/carers of autistic CYP, and the research did not reach great numbers of CYP with other diagnoses nor did it hear from many CYP directly due to the restrictions in place at the time

Life after release from prison: The experience of ex‐offenders with intellectual disabilities

Background: In the UK, little is known about the experience of ex‐prisoners with intellectual disabilities. Method: A qualitative study was therefore conducted to investigate what life is like for ten men with intellectual disabilities who left prison at least 9 months previously. Semi‐structured interviews were employed to explore the men's views of post‐prison life, including opportunities/challenges and support received from services. Results: Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, four over‐arching themes were constructed: the nature of support and services, the difficulty of staying out of trouble, the importance of family and the need to act the “tough guy”. The participants reported being extremely under‐supported. They were often hostile about staff who they felt were too focused on their previous crime. Conclusions: In general, men were very under‐supported and the upheavals of post‐prison lives appeared to be “normalized” by them. Better understanding of their lives within their social context would benefit their community re‐entry

Clothes, Sensory Experiences and Autism: Is Wearing the Right Fabric Important?

Tactile defensiveness in autistic individuals is the least investigated sensory modality. The current multi-component, explorative study aimed to understand the experiences of ten autistic adults regarding tactile defensiveness and fabrics, using semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. Participants were asked to discuss the effects of seven provided samples of fabrics and were also asked to bring their favorite fabric (s) and express their thoughts about their choices. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Content Analysis, the findings showed that some fabrics can impact individuals’ reported wellbeing. Participants’ experiences with several stimuli appeared to have helped them implement coping strategies. By understanding tactile defensiveness, society could move towards increasing autism-friendly approaches with appropriate fabrics. Recommendations for future research, policy and practice are also discussed

Care Relationships Between Support Staff and Adults With a Learning Disability in Long-Term Social Care Residential Settings in the United Kingdom: A Systematic Literature Review

Context: Research exploring care relationships between support staff (e.g., support workers) and adults with a learning disability in long-term social care residential settings in the United Kingdom is relatively neglected. This has potential theoretical and care practice implications. Objectives: This study sought to synthesise relevant literature, expand knowledge, and identify directions for future research. We investigated five questions about care relationships and what makes them positive, exploring definitions of care relationships, relational practices and processes, barriers and facilitators to good care relationships, the impact of relationships, and restoration of disrupted relationships. Methods: Following protocol registration in PROSPERO, a systematic literature review was conducted in June–July 2021. The review was informed by official guidelines and focused on the United Kingdom, covering 41 years of relevant work. Twelve databases and five websites were searched, and experts were contacted. Forty-five reports were included and synthesised using the narrative synthesis framework. Findings: Definitions of care relationships revolved around friendship, equality, professionalism, and power. Practices and processes underlying positive relationships included knowing the person, setting boundaries, and shifting power dynamics. Barriers to positive care relationships included staff interactional patterns, attributions, and staff dilemmas, whilst facilitators included receiving training and using communication tools. Good care relationships were key to effective support and ways to restore disrupted relationships included receiving input from systemic therapy. Limitations: Literature was limited for certain review questions and more extensive for others. Only a few reports addressed care relationships as such with the rest focusing on communication or interactions. Time constraints prevented us from including more kinds of reports. The voice of residents was limited. Implications: We hope that this review contributes to and expands knowledge around care relationships and shapes directions for future research. Findings can be used by support staff, service managers, residents, trainers, advocates, regulators, and researchers

Tourette’s Is a Lonely Place: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Personal Experience and Identity of Adults with Tourette’s Syndrome

Research suggests that adults with Tourette’s syndrome (TS) may face unique challenges in their everyday life due to their condition. To date, however, only a limited number of studies exist in relation to their life experiences and conception of identity. This study, which we believe to be the first of its kind, aimed to expand the literature by ‘giving voice’ to this population, and to evaluate the social and personal cost of living with TS during adulthood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen adults with Tourette’s that focused on how they negotiated their identity and experiences. Transcripts of recorded interviews were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged: a) “Incorporating Tourette’s syndrome into self” revealed two divergent ways in which TS was merged into the participants’ self-identity, either by reconciling with it or fighting against it; b) “Interpersonal interaction” covered issues relating to negative and supportive ties as a result of their condition; and finally, c) “The solitude of Tourette’s syndrome” described the loneliness that stems from the condition. The current findings suggest that the experience of the participants is a multidimensional one related to self-identity threat, social withdraw, and self-stigma. Implications for clinical practice on the topic are discussed