About any appointment
In different areas of the country mental health professionals will have different levels of experience in dealing with people who have a learning disability. If you are supporting someone to an appointment your role may be to ‘translate’ the questions being asked for the individual. However it is important to ensure that any communication does not become two-way (between medical staff and supporter), leaving out the individual themselves.
Whoever supports the individual should be someone who knows them well. This will help the individual to relax and ensure a good ‘flow’ of information between the individual and the medical profession.
If a person is to be supported by paid staff then the time of the appointment needs to be considered. Try to avoid periods of staff handover or too early or late in a staff members shift. However the needs of the individual must always come first. If they have favourite activities during the week try not to make appointments that mean these will be missed. If individuals do not like to be rushed in the morning then make appointments later in the day.
Hints and Tips
Communicate –
- Explain to the person what an assessment is, who will be there, when and where it will take place.
- It’s also important to tell them what might happen afterwards (for example that the assessment is not a ‘cure’).
- Many people with a learning disability can become nervous and anxious in a hospital setting. Ask for a home visit (or at least an appointment in a familiar setting) if needed.
- If this is not possible then make arrangements to visit the place where the appointment will take place before the actual appointment.
- If people prefer a routine then make the assessment as ‘managed’ as possible, this might mean contacting the consultant first.
- Talking to the medical staff will also allow you to discuss any communication issues the client may have (remember to think about sensory issues as well).
- The time taken for the appointment may need to be different to the usual one offered. A longer appointment may allow the individual to communicate better without a time pressure, a number of shorter but more frequent appointments may be better if the person has a short attention span.
- There are a number of ‘easy read’ resources that explain issues regarding mental health (some are highlighted on this website) ask the medical staff if they know of any locally which may help.
Information that will assist the medical professionals
Information about the individual – current –
What is the person normally like?
What (if anything) has changed?
Possible signs and symptoms indicating a mental health problem
Their behaviour (normally and when it causes a concern), their communication, skills and abilities, their favourite activities, friends and relationships,
Recent life events – (for example) changes in family or staff structure, move of home, change of school/college or work placement, bereavement, possible abuse, bullying.
Information about the development of the individual
Level of learning disability - motor (movement) and language skills, milestones (such was when they first talked, crawled, walked) if known.
Family relationships and the level of contact they have with the individual.
Medical issues such as the current medication taken, the individual’s ability to report illness, any past illness (both physical and mental) and any treatment received.
Some of the issues that medical professionals might want to know about include -
The person’s interaction with others
Their levels of communication (at their best and worse)
Their appetite (increase or loss) and weight (lost or gained)
Their sleeping patterns
Any changes in behaviour, for example hearing voices, strange thoughts or beliefs (especially if these are recent)