Learning Disability/Intellectual disability

The terminology varies from country to country. In the US the term mental retardation is often used whereas in Europe the terms learning disability, learning difficulty and intellectual disability are often used. Services for people with learning disability/intellectual disability have become more community based and integrated. The move to community services while enhancing quality of life has not necessarily eradicated challenging behaviours. We adopt a radical person centred approach to behaviour management. People need as much control over their lives as we can provide. People have a right to be managed in a dignified and age appropriate manner. Our view is that we support individuals in their daily lives rather than 'correcting' their behaviours. In many services people become challenging because they are not being listened to. We believe in building the service around people and not attempting to place 'square pegs into round holes'.