Communication is the key: improving outcomes for people with learning disabilities

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce the open communication tool (OCT) as described in “From ‘What do you do?’ to ‘a leap of faith’: developing more efficient indirect intervention for adults with learning disabilities”.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data from a study identifying barriers to effective intervention was used to create a model of working practice.

Findings

This paper introduces a model of addressing intervention which could be used by the broader multidisciplinary team to increase successful intervention outcomes and pinpoint concerns about care providers who do not enhance communication effectively.

Originality/value

The authors suggest that a more consistent and robust approach to delivering indirect intervention could be used to bridge communication gaps between healthcare providers and commissioners/monitoring bodies of services for people with learning disabilities.

Citation

Lewer, A. and Harding, C. (2013), "Communication is the key: improving outcomes for people with learning disabilities", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 132-140. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-01-2013-0001