Learning Disability: Barriers to Effective Communication

Learning Disability Barriers to Effective CommunicationCommunication is the act or process of using words, sounds, or behaviours to demonstrate ideas, thoughts feelings, or exchange nurture (Merriam Webster, 2014).People with culture disabilities die younger than other sight (Heslop et al, 2013). The unconditional Inquiry into Access to Healthc be for People with Learning Disabilities (Michael, 2008) act oned the Mencap report demise by Indifference (2007). The report concluded that thither argon entire risks in the cargon remains that result in mettlesome takes of wellness needs not being met. The inquiry found that state with acquisition disabilities appear to receive less telling care and that there are m some(prenominal) shortcomings in the focussing treatment is delivered, with avoidable suffering ca intentiond by untreated ill health.Effective parley is essential in ensuring high quality health care (Balandin Hemsley, 2008) and is an essential skill for nu rses (Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC), 2007). Because intercourse difficulties are characteristic of people with discipline disabilities, the nurse needs strategies that fecal dishevelter be apply to promote conversation and realiseing by removing barriers, and evolution their skills and knowledge.Why ?Effective communication is a recurring and pervasive origin in government policies, reports and best practice guidelines (Turner, 2014). Good practice focal point on working with parents with a Learning Disability (Department of Health, 2007), the survey of the valet de chambre rights of adults with eruditeness disabilities, A life like any other? (Joint citizens committee on Human Rights, 2008) and valuing people now (Department of Health, 2009). In particular, A biography Any Other? highlights the ways in which barriers to communication sight all too easily result in the gentleman rights of people with erudition disabilities being breached, unmet communication need s can restrict access to frequent profits. For example, research commissioned by Mencap showed that, of 215 GPs interviewed, 75% had received no study to help them treat people with a study disability (Taylor Nelson Sofres, 2004, cited in Mencap, 2004).Children with LDRegnard et al. (2007) found more than twenty changes in behaviour in children with nurture disability when they encountered distress, and it is likely those who necessitate no verbal language are likely to be more receptive to non-verbal communication (Tuffrey Wijne McEnhill, 2008). It is therefore vitally important for professionals working directly with children to engage with them however possible.Adults with LDDifficulties with communication suck been consistently reported as a barrier in back up adults with learning disabilities at the end of life .HEALTH NEEDSA high People with learning disabilities are likely to need supporter in communication. It has esti insipided that there are 1.5 million people in the fall in Kingdom (UK) with learning disabilities and between 50% and 90% suffer from sensorial loss (Eric et al, 2012). Most people with learning disabilities check greater health needs than those with no disabilities. They are also likely to die at a younger age (Mencap, 2007). A image of reports in new-made years waste shown that there are failings in accessing services and in providing appropriate treatment for people with learning disabilities( Equal Treatment stoppage the Gap(2006) Death by Indifference (2007)). A life like no other (2007), a report into services for people with a learning disability in England, found that adults with a learning disability are particularly vulnerable to breaches of their human rights in healthcare services.There is bulky evidence that people with learning disabilities are not receiving the same level of health care as other people. In the UK, there stimulate been many documented examples of secondary health services causing te preventable death of people with learning disabilities, with contributory factors reported to accept poor communication, a distress of heath service staff to recognize pain, delays in diagnosis and treatment, a lack of basic care, and the use of Do Not Resuscitate orders (Heslop et al., 2013 Mencap, 2012a). A UK based Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities (Heslop et al., 2013) estimated that 37% of deaths were potentially avoidable.When people with learning disabilities use health services, staff whitethorn throw difficulty in coming upon their needs because they are unable to give-up the ghost effectively with them. A number of reports (Department of Health, 2008 Mencap, 2012 Royal College of Nursing, 2010) highlighted the communication complexity between patient and the staff which have resulted in some themes of deaths and poor quality hospital care.HISTORYA report from Mencap (2007), entitles Death by Indifference, highlights th e poor treatment received by six people with learning disabilities admitted to acute adult and mental health service. This poor treatment ultimately led to these peoples deaths. The report goes as further to say that institutional discrimination exists within the National Health military service (NHS) towards people who have a learning disability with them getting worse health care than non-disables people. superstar of the major concerns raised by Mencap was the flavor of diagnostic overshadowing. This is neglecting to recognise signs and symptoms of ill health assuming them to be characteristic of a persons learning disability.Death by numbnessIn 2004, Mencap published Treat me Right, a report which highlighted the inequities of NHS healthcare purvey to people with learning disabilities. This also highlighted that that healthcare professional should not wager on carers or family to communicate with service drug users with learning disabilities and hospitals must complete their legal duty of care. Healthcare providers are accountable to make accepted that these service users have their needs met and this involve an easy-read information in place. In 2006, the Disability Right Commission further emphasised concerns that people with learning disabilities were not afforded equitable access to healthcare services and treatment and as a consequence suffered more ill health and were more likely to die. In 2007, Mencap published Death by Indifference, a report which told the horrible stories of six people with learning disabilities who suffered potentially avoidable deaths while in various NHS healthcare service by improving communication. A sequent independent inquiry (Micheal, 2008) and port by the Local Government Ombudsmen and parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsmen (2009) both confirmed that people with learning disabilities were consistently being placed at risk within primary and secondary healthcare services due to lack of and staff patient communicationhttp//www.ombudsman.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/1408/six-lives-part1-overview.pdfDeath by Indifference (Mencap, 2007) attributed the unacceptable standards if care largely to an ignorance or apathy by nurses and other health professionals to understand and listen to their clients with learning disabilities. It is important that the individual is continually consulted about their care regardless of the uttermost of their learning disability.74 deaths and counting (2012)The report by Mencap, 2012 relayed details of more potentially avoidable deaths of people with learning disabilities within NHS services.Reasonable adjustmentsThe failure of public services to make reasonable adjustments regarding communication not all makes it extremely difficult for people with learning disabilities to access services, but it may also breach the Equality Act (2010) and Article 8 pf the European Convention on Human Rights (Micheal, 2008, p24). Poor communication with people who have learning disabilities has consequences that range from the relatively insignificant. For example a service user is given coffee when they would prefer tea.NON VERBAL COMMUNICATIONNon-verbal communication is as important as verbal in interactions that influence dignity. For example, in a study of older peoples transitions (include older people with learning disabilities) between care service, Ellins et al. (2012) noted the followingone of the most liaison findings was that even the smallest gestures by providers to connect with somebody as a human being, such as a smile or a mash could makeMAKATONThe Makaton language programme is commonly used by people with learning disabilities. Many people with learning disabilities use speech, there are also a range of altranative methods of communication which can be used in conjunction with speech. Sign systems are used widely among people with learning disabilities, either alone or in conjunction with speech. One of the common systems i s Makaton(Williams, 2009). However, Hannon (2003) found that no one at the hospital had hear of it. One of the people with a learning disability involved in the study said any of the health care professionals did not understand him.EASY READSome people can benefit from scripted information being into an easy-read format. This involves the use of simple sentences and language and the use of photos or pictures to support the meaning of the written words. When producing written information for patients, it may be worth retrieveing accessibility for patients who may be non-verbal or have a learning disability. An easy to read, information resource with picture and images and dew words can support people with learning disabilities to have a greater discernment of information and support their decision making.Talking Mats is a visual theoretical account that uses picture symbols to help people with a communication difficulty communicate more effectively (Murphy and Cameron 2005, p.3). Using pictures to represent topics and options and a visual graduated table with people with little or no speech and people who have difficulty in understanding speech can assist them to express their wishes about what will occur in their own life. Service providers, including case managers, can use this tool to help the person with disability mete out and discuss a assortment of options. The pictures are placed on a mat so that the person with disability can look at the options and choices available and then move them using the visual scale to establish how they feel about each option. The visual scale might include symbols for liking something, for being unsure and for definitely not liking or wanting something. More complex visual scales can be created, depending on the persons needs and abilities.Many people with a variety of disabilities use Talking Mats successfully. Nevertheless, there are some people for whom this system is not suitable. Murphy and Cameron (2005) suggest ed that to use Talking Mats successfully, the person using the mat must be able to recognise picture symbols and must be able to understand at least two keywords at a time. The person must also have a reliable way of confirming his or her views so that the case manager or service provider can be sure that the placement of pictures on the mat does in fact reflect the persons viewsPERSON-CENTRED APPROCHPatient- or person- centred approaches to health are increasingly seen as more effi cient as they promote satisfactory communication between the clinician and patient but research to support this is miss (Lewin et al., 2009). The Mental Capacity Act (2005) is based on person- centred principles and gives legal financial support to previous guidelines for good practice (Mencap, 2010). It gives responsibility to all healthcare professionals to follow person- centred guidance in addressing issues of choice and consent in healthcare with the learning disabled. The key principles of this include the person being at the centre of any planning and discussion. This does not mean decisions are simply taken in their best interests but ways are sought to actively involve them in decision- making using accessible communication systems when necessary.McCaffery et al. (2010) argues that although there have been major advances in way to increase patient sake in health decisions, with the benefits of greater involvement and shared decision-making now widely accepted, there has been little attention given to the development of tools and strategies to support participation of adults with cast down literacy, who are members of a group with poor health knowledge, limited involvement in health decisions and poor health outcomes. McCaffery et al. (2010) proposed a framework to consider the different stages of shred health decision making and the tasks and skills required to attain each stage.The 6csIn 2012, the Department of Health carried out a far-flung consultation exercise on take to bes for nurses, which were published in favor in Practice Nursing, Midwifery and Care staff Our Vision and strategy. The mass is based around six values care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment. The vision aims to embed these values (the 6Cs) in all nursing, midwifery and caregiving settings throughout the NHS and complaisant care to improve care for patients.ConclusionIn conclusion, the author highlighted the vastness and the barriers of communication when working with people with a learning disability, and the some communication methods that a learning disability nurses can use to work effectively with this client group. Good communication is the basis of effective care provision, and the value of developing a relationship and getting to know the individual demonstrates how this enables effective communication to take place. Health care professionals need to develop competencies in identifying individual communication needs, and developing creative ideas for how to overcome these, using a range of tools to aid communication. Person-centred approaches provide a framework to do this on an individual basis, enable and support people to make choices.