Tizard News and Events

The next SPELL framework training is taking place on 11, 12 & 13 July 2016 at the University of Kent.  Registration and payment for this is via the University online store, however anyone wishing to undertake this training will need to email us outlining their experience and suitability (emails to J.Ruffels@kent.ac.uk)  Full details of the training days are available on our web page: http://www.kent.ac.uk/tizard/courses/short/index.html?tab=spell

The SPELL framework is a socially valid framework that supports the understanding of autism and the development of autism friendly environments and approaches.  It is an individualised and person-centred approach that centres around 5 key elements: structure, positive approaches and expectations, empathy, low arousal, links.

Dr Nick Gore is carrying out research into what life is like for families with a child with behaviours that are challenging.  A variety of communication methods will be used to interview children and family carers about the impact of behaviour that challenges and things that they would most like to change in the future.

If you would like to participate please contact Nick for an informal chat or to request an information pack.

For more information and to see if your family qualify to take part please see the research criteria poster
Recruitment Poster V 4 07.04.16 (1) (1)

The first of our taster sessions is being held on 21 April 2016, 0930-1300 hrs in the Woodlands Annex, Tizard Centre, UoK.  Dr Paraskevi Triantafyllopoulou will be looking at sleep problems in children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  Sleep deprivation can affect the way people behave as well as their cognitive functioning (memory, attention etc…).  During the session the most prevalent sleep problems will be looked at and the effectiveness of sleep interventions will be discussed.

To book a place please email the Centre (J.Ruffels@kent.ac.uk)

Other sessions will be held on 11 May 2016 “people with learning disabilities and the Criminal Justice System” (Prof Glynis Murphy) and on 8 June 2016 Dr Michelle McCarthy will be holding a session looking at domestic violence and women with learning difficulties.

Dr Jill Bradshaw & Lisa Richardson were able to arrange free access to certain recent articles to coincide with the Making Research Count presenting that they did together at Kings College London; the result of their research around Living in Fear.

The articles include:
“I felt I deserved it – experiences and implications of disability hate crime”
Commentary on the above article

Free access will continue until the 23/04/16.  If you wish to look at the presentation this is also available.

Serena Brady & Dr Nick Gore were presented with an award for their outstanding paper on early intervention at the Jim Mansell Memorial Lecture last Friday. “Early intervention for children with learning disabilities: making use of what we know” Tizard Learning Disability Review.  Michelle McCarthy also won a prize for the best TLDR reviewer.

The lecture & dinner were held in the Darwin Conference Suite and alongside a interesting talk from Prof David Felce “50 years back, 50 years forward: deinstitutionalisation and post-deinstitutionalisation…” the annual student Tizard prize giving also took place.

This year’s prize winners:
Best UG mark prize awarded to Elisabeth Gale
Best Masters mark awarded to Pak Chiu
Outstanding work and effort awarded to Rebecca Monteleone
Best mark in an Autism Foundation Degree awarded to Catharina Darvell
Best mark in a Tizard Final Year module:  this prize was shared by 7 people who all achieved the same mark – Ellena Horne, Naomi Overton, Rachel Weaver, Emma Denby, Susannah Davis, Andrew Wilson and Fabbiha Akthar
Edward Newell prize 2016  awarded to Hilary Fertig

Many congratulations to all the prize winners.

The recent blog from Prof Richard Hastings looks at legitimate questions about PBS (Positive Behavioural Support).  Prof Hastings comments that prior to the end of 2013 the UK intellectual disability community could have argued that there was no agreed perspective on the definition or conceptualisation of PBS.

To read the full blog

The Tizard Centre, University of Kent is inviting applications from anyone interested in applying for the post of Director.  Candidates should have a research profile and teaching experience in the broad area of intellectual and developmental disability, as well as being passionate about taking overall responsibility for developing and delivering the Tizard Centre’s academic and strategic plan.

Full details and an online application will need to be completed.
Closing date:  13 April 2016
Interview date still to be confirmed

Clare Melvin and Aida Malovic are conducting a survey across services in the UK, looking at the prevalence of individuals with intellectual disability/learning disability and/or autism spectrum condition who are under 18 years and who display risky behaviours such as harmful sexual behaviour.  It is hoped to contact Clinical Directors/Heads of Services to partake in the survey.  Any assistance would be appreciated in helping Aida & Clare to build up a database of contact details for Clinical Directions/Heads of Services who deal with children and young people who fall within the category above.  Please email Clare or Aida at sotsec@kent.ac.uk 

In particular they are hoping to use LD and CAMHS emailing lists to reach members of these groups.  Clinical Directors and Heads of Services will be asked to undertake a short online survey of around 10 questions.

Background information
Guidance 

On 24 February 2016 Prof Ruth Northway accompanied by her colleagues, Victoria Jones and Lynne Evans gave a very interesting talk at the Tizard research evening seminar.  Prof Northway focused on the how the research was carried out (participatory approach) and the findings resulting from this.  The project looked at what people with learning disabilities understand by abuse and what support they need if they are abused.

The video (slide presentation and audio only) is available to watch on Youtube

The Tizard Centre run a series of research seminars each academic year which are all advertised on our web page   Alternatively you can email us (J.Ruffels@kent.ac.uk) and request to be added to our database of contacts.

Last week’s article published in the HPFT (Hertfordshire Partnership Trust) news; “In the Spotlight” focuses on Dr Peter Langdon, senior lecturer in clinical psychology and disability (Tizard Centre) and who also holds an honorary contract with HPFT, where he runs weekly clinical sessions .  These short articles look at the person’s role and latest research project/interests.

Pete’s main focus in on working with collaborators across the country to try to develop better treatments and health care systems for people with developmental disabilities.  He is currently working on a new study “mATCH” funded by NIHR and involving people with autism who are detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act or Mental Capacity Act.  “People with AuTism detailed with hospitals: defining the population, understanding aetiology and improving Care patHways”.  It is hoped that this research will help to design better inpatient services and directly benefit patients by minimising the risk of them being in restrictive hospital settings for longer than necessary.

To read the full article