Case Study 4: Using adults who have learning disabilities to teach speech and language therapy students

What was required?

Learning disability is a key topic area that is taught to speech and language therapy students in the Division of Language and Communication Science. Speech and language therapy students have been taught by adults with learning disabilities since 2005. This was set up by Celia Harding in collaboration with Kunden Patel, speech and language therapist, and Pru Nielsen from Westminster Learning Disability Partnership. Following the success of this project, a conference for people with learning disabilities and led by them was held at City University London in 2012 where the Advocacy Group, People in Control was launched. This group still teaches the speech and language therapy students, however, it was felt that students could benefit from further teaching about health care needs and particular challenges for people who have learning disabilities when accessing healthcare. Nigel, Steven and Saboohi from The Advocacy Group taught BSc 4 (Final Year) speech and language therapy students about The Mental Capacity Act and providing communication support during consultations to help people with learning disabilities understand about treatment they are receiving as well as helping them to make choices. All students received materials to prepare before the day so that they could participate fully.

How did it go?
The teaching was highly successful, with students receiving personal accounts of accessing health care and capacity when consenting to treatment. Nigel, Steven and Saboohi felt that their stories were “listened to”. They also felt that they were able to direct speech and language therapy students to the important aspects of the Mental Capacity Act in relation to choice in healthcare. Nigel and Steven were able to remind students about important resources such as Hospital Passports where relevant health information is available for others to be aware of.

What worked well? Any particular challenges?
The level of interest in the teaching was high from both the service user and student learning perspective. Although the students are in their final year, they commented that the legislative aspects were highlighted by this day, along with re-evaluation of the Mental Capacity Act and the need to reflect on how pervasive communication is to all aspects of health care.  A positive challenge would involve encouraging other healthcare students to participate so core themes of capacity and choice could be shared within an inter-disciplinary forum between students about to complete their courses. This is being planned for next year.

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