Harnessing real-life experiences: the development of guidelines to communicate research findings on Developmental Coordination Disorder/dyspraxia.

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, affects 5-15% of school-aged children (Hamilton and Sutton, Am Fam Physician 66:1435, 2002) and significantly impacts a child's ability to learn motor skills and perform everyday activities efficiently and effectively (Zwicker et al., Eur J Paediatr Neurol 16:573-81, 2012). These motor deficits can have a negative impact on academic performance, vocational choices and leisure pursuits (Zwicker et al.

Supported employment, quality of jobs and employment typicalness: The experience of the Engage to Change project.

Background: Paid employment represents a challenge for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism. This paper analyses the quality of jobs offered by the Engage to Change project and their relationship to the 'typicalness' of the employment offered.

Method: Data on the quality of 384 paid jobs were collected, including hours worked and wages earned, and reported social integration at work.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on jobs for people with intellectual disabilities and autism in Wales.

Background: The study reports the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns on jobs for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. The study focuses on the impact of the first and the fire-break lockdowns and the actions taken to support young people.

Method: Data was collected from the cohort of young people currently working in Wales, and that received job coach support from the Engage to Change Project, on furlough arrangements, job retainment and job losses.

A demographic and qualitative analysis of the determinants of success in a National Supported Employment project.

Background: People with an intellectual disability and/or autism experience low employment rates compared to the general population. This study shows what the determinants of success are in getting this group of young people into paid employment.

Method: The research is based on data collected on 1008 young people, aged 16-25, participating in the Engage to Change project across Wales, to support young people to achieve employment.

A pilot randomised controlled trial of community-led ANtipsychotic Drug REduction for Adults with Learning Disabilities.

Background: Data suggest that approximately 50,000 adults with learning disabilities (LDs) in England and Wales are currently prescribed antipsychotic medication. Illness in this population is common, including significant rates of challenging behaviour and mental illness, but there is particular concern over the use of antipsychotics prescribed for reasons other than the treatment of psychosis. Control of challenging behaviour is the primary reason why such medications are prescribed despite the absence of good evidence for any therapeutic effect for this purpose.

Direct Observation of the Behaviour of Females with Rett Syndrome.

The aim was to observe the behaviour of a sample of females with RTT and explore how it was organized in relation to environmental events. Ten participants, all with a less severe form of classic ( = 9) or atypical ( = 1) Rett syndrome (RTT), were filmed at home and at school or day centre. Analysis used real-time data capture software.

A prospective multi-centre open label study of the use of levetiracetam as add-on treatment in patients with epilepsy and intellectual disabilities.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in adults with intellectual disabilities who have uncontrolled partial or generalised epilepsy.

Methods: An open label prospective study compared seizure frequency, adverse effects, participant challenging behaviour, carers' concerns about epilepsy and perceived participant quality of life between a baseline observation prior to the use of levetiracetam and follow-up observations at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months afterwards. Challenging behaviour, carers' concerns about epilepsy and perceived quality of life were assessed using standardized measures.

Outcomes and costs of community living: semi-independent living and fully staffed group homes.

In a matched-groups design, costs and quality of life outcomes for adults with intellectual disabilities with relatively low support needs were compared between those in fully staffed group homes (n = 35) and in semi-independent living (n = 35). Data were collected on participant characteristics, setting organization, various lifestyle outcomes, and costs. There were no differences in the majority of lifestyle outcome measures.

Quality and costs of community-based residential supports for people with mental retardation and challenging behavior.

A longitudinal matched-groups design was used to examine the quality and costs of community-based residential supports to people with mental retardation and challenging behavior. Two forms of provision were investigated: noncongregate settings, where the minority of residents had challenging behavior, and congregate settings, where the majority of residents had challenging behavior. Data were collected for 25 people in each setting.

Exploring the evaluation of antiepileptic drug change in people with intellectual disabilities and high-frequency epileptic seizures: seizure control and sustained responsiveness to the environment.

Purpose: Optimum antiepilepsy medication should be successful in reducing seizures with minimal adverse effects on the patient's ability to concentrate or general level of awareness. The purpose was to investigate the potential of a method of measuring responsiveness to environmental events as a means of reflecting awareness levels among people with intellectual disabilities undergoing review of medication for high-frequency epileptic seizures.

Methods: Observations of 22 participants referred to a specialist clinic were conducted three times a month over a 5-month period following the initial baseline measures and clinical intervention.