What are the most effective models of care for learning disabilities?
There are a number of models of care for learning disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury. The most effective of these are those which incorporate a person-centred, positive behaviour support approach.
Person-centred models of learning disability support are designed around an individual’s unique care requirements, interests and outlook on life. The challenges that one individual will face due to their learning disability, autism or acquired brain injury will be very different to the challenges that someone else faces. Likewise, life choices, goals and ambitions will differ massively between one individual and another.
That is why a person-centred approach is so important – it means that the learning disabilities support an individual receives is as unique as they are, and tailored to help them to achieve the specific things that are important and meaningful to them.
This model of care for learning disabilities will often involve an element of positive risk taking – enabling the individual to challenge themself to strive for their goals, in a supportive environment with appropriate measures in place to manage any risk. This approach encourages the individual to attempt things for themselves, with their support team alongside them – fostering ownership, empowerment and a sense of achievement.
Positive risk taking is often an integral part of positive behaviour support planning, a model of care for learning disabilities which aims to reduce the need for behaviours which challenge. It does so by removing their root cause and enabling the individual to feel more in control of their life and life choices.
By celebrating the individual, recognising their successes and challenges, and enabling them to live the life they choose, a person-centred model of care for learning disabilities can be empowering, inspiring and life-enhancing.
Support for people with learning disabilities, autism or acquired brain injury
Our Realise team are experts in providing individually-tailored care and positive behaviour support for people with learning disabilities, autism or acquired brain injury. Find out more about the Realise team, and the empowering, person-centred support they provide.
