good practice

The parents of a pupil living with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing difficulties have successfully won a case against their child’s independent prep school, Ashdown House, for an unlawful discriminatory exclusion.

In 2016, the UK government launched a groundbreaking drive to reduce the use of psychotropic drugs for people with autism and learning disabilities. But recent figures show that while prescribing rates for antipsychotics have fallen since the campaign’s launch, antidepressants, hypnotics, and stimulants have all risen.

Having their own possessions can bring a sense of independence and control that people with learning disabilities are deprived of all too often. Darren Devine hears how an art exhibition tells the stories behind these meaningful possessions and their owners.

Reasonable adjustments are adaptations and accommodations that should, in theory, minimise disadvantages faced by disabled people in education, employment, and housing, as well as services such as shops, hospitals, and banks. Darren Devine discusses how reasonable adjustments could look for people with a learning disability - but how far can they address health inequalities? 

Women with learning disabilities and autism are almost four times less likely to go for cervical cancer screening tests. Here, Darren Devine looks at the efforts being made to reverse one of the most stark health inequalities affecting potentially vulnerable women.

Young people with learning disabilities are often without paid employment. Darren Devine considers whether supported internship schemes are the answer, or whether they fail to deliver what they promise.

Twice a week in Hastings, a group of friends, who all have a learning disability, drink a few pints and catch up at the local pub - just like everybody else.

Ambitious about Autism's Youth Council have created a resource to help tackle loneliness amongst peers and make youth groups more accessible. 

In collaboration with Slimming World, the University of Sheffield has conducted research into making weight loss programmes more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Now, Slimming World will roll out the adaptations to more than 5,000 consultants.