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.

An innovative approach to supporting self-injury in people with learning disabilities

About the Author
Pauline Heslop is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol. Andrew Lovell is Reader in Learning Disabilities at the University of Chester.

Reviews
This welcome book on self-injury has been put together by some of the best practitioners working with people with learning disabilities in the UK today. They have succeeded in bringing together social, psychological and service-user perspectives to inform our understanding and develop our skills. I am delighted to recommend it. -- Baroness Sheila Hollins, Executive Chair, Books Beyond Words and crossbench life peer



Book Information
ISBN 9781849052085
Author Fiona Macaulay
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Weight(grams) 243g
Dimensions(mm) 231mm * 187mm * 9mm