By Rhiannon Ansemous Introduction Across the UK, individuals with autism and learning disabilities are supported by services that are expected to promote safety, wellbeing, and a meaningful life. Yet in many settings, the concept of “risk” has become a dominant organising force—often at the expense of autonomy, dignity, and happiness (Beadle-Brown et al., 2016; CQC, 2020). When risk management eclipses a person’s right to joy, connection, and agency, the result is not safety,

Speaking about the LASER Approach, Gareth gave an overview of the core tenants of the approach, including personalisation not normalisation.

In this short article, Professor Andrew McDonnell discusses a recent paper on polyvagal theory, and its implications for practice in the caring professions. Stephen W. Porges is an American psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina. Porges is also currently the Director of the Kinsey Institute Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at Indiana University, studying the effects and impact of trauma. Porges developed polyvagal theory in 1994, a co

Article by Professor Andy McDonnell The recent HIQA report about the social care organisation Sunbeam House makes for very sobering reading. As a practitioner who has worked with both large and small organisations supporting people with intellectual disabilities and distressed behaviour for over 30 years, at times I experience déjà vu. Many who read the February 2025 report from HIQA may be reminded of the RTE documentary of 2014, Inside Bungalow 3, which exposed similar coer

Explore how autistic traits in women, including sensory sensitivities and social challenges, can relate to self-injury behaviours.

A recent study from Studio 3 practitioners and associates looked at the impact the Low Arousal Approach in family contexts.

The following case example of a young man called Adam gives a good understanding of how we employ trauma-informed approaches in our work.

In this article, we will explain what the Saturation Model is, and how it operates in conjunction with the Low Arousal Approach.

Professor Andrew McDonnell provides a timeline of the evolution of the Low Arousal Approach to crisis management.

Studio 3 practitioner Mary Maher gives an account of the clinical services such as individualised support for families available in Ireland

Studio 3 Low Arousal Trainer Keri Dickson discusses Low Arousal Online Training, available every Friday.

Studio 3 Kerry is a team of practitioners based in Ireland who provide psychological support, clinical services and coaching.

In this article, two families share their experiences of education and applying the Low Arousal Approach with young people, and the...

This article discusses the SEMH Handbook by BDSIP for mainstream school settings to support inclusion and provide SEND provision

The following extract is from a practitioner article by Studio 3 practitioner John Moriarty, which discusses experiences of crisis...

This is the first in a series of articles in which Professor Andrew McDonnell attempts to outline the transition from locked wards in hospitals to community placements, in collaboration with Lives Through Friends. Compassionate care in the community can be more therapeutic than hospital placements In 2011, the BBC Panorama Winterbourne View documentary caused great public outcry and a commitment from the government to reduce the number of beds in secure units for individuals

Online and bespoke LASER training for settings that require a tailored approach.

This extract describes how the LASER Programme approaches the difficult topic of reducing physical interventions in schools.

An excerpt from the upcoming book on Restraint and Seclusion Elimination: The Studio 3 Approach by Professor Andrew McDonnell, coming soon!

Dr. Rebecca Fish, a researcher at Lancaster University, reviews The Reflective Journey: A Practitioner's Guide to the Low Arousal Approach by Professor Andrew McDonnell, offering insights into its practical applications for managing challenging behaviours I have been working as a researcher for people with learning disabilities and/or autism in forensic services since 1997. I have heard many tropes about ‘challenging behaviour’, as well as seeing dehumanizing and individuali