Adopting a predominantly psychological approach, this book provides carers with up-to-date information and resources to provide appropriately individualised care to people with learning disabilities who self-injure. Understanding and Working with People with Learning Disabilities who Self-Injure synthesises traditional (behavioural) and newer (psychological) approaches to understanding self-injury, drawing on psychoanalytic and social theory to provide practical guidelines for more sustained and effective support. It suggests that motivations for self-injury may be similar for people with and without learning disabilities, and draws on case work examples to suggest person-centred techniques that encourage communication - particularly important with people who do not use verbal communication - and recovery. The book covers a range of specific needs, including people with autism who self-injure, and emphasises the views of people with learning disabilities themselves and their families about what has worked best, and why. At the end of each chapter, a variety of practical implications for the provision of support are given. This book is for those supporting people with learning disabilities who self-injure and will be a useful resource for social workers, psychologists, counsellors, learning support workers, nurses and social and health care students.

The emotional life of people with learning disabilities is a subject that has only begun to be thought about during the last decade. This book by Noelle Blackman addresses the central issue of how people with learning disabilities can be affected by bereavement.

The majority of people with learning disabilities are likely to die whilst living in a service setting. This book, written by practitioners in the field, offers practical advice, and aims to raise the awareness of everyone involved in enabling people with learning disabilities to be treated with respect and dignity as they approach death.