Latest news with #learningdisability
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Is the huge rise in autism diagnoses really good news? We're not so sure
Prof Gina Rippon dismisses too easily the genuine concerns about overdiagnosis of conditions such as autism and the medicalisation of normal behaviour (Why the antagonism over the rise in autism diagnoses? It's actually good news, 21 July). She correctly observes that there has been an astonishingly large increase in diagnosis rates since 1998. She also notes correctly that, before the 1980s, autism was diagnosed infrequently because of its 'overly narrow' definition. However, in arguing that many children consequently missed out on the help they needed, she draws the wrong conclusion. She fails to mention that other diagnoses were available for such children, including social anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disability, among others. Children needing help were frequently diagnosed with one of these, and with sufficient reliability to enable help to be offered within available resources. Moreover, it is well known that the diagnosis of autism by itself does not indicate any specific kind of intervention. Rippon also welcomes the soaring rates of diagnosis, assuming it somehow explains the behaviour of those given it. However, autism is just a descriptive diagnosis. The diagnostic criteria comprise a large cluster of behaviours, such that two people with the diagnosis may display no behaviours in common. The common underlying psychological or neurological abnormality, if one exists at all, is simply not known. I recall during my clinical career in child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) being asked by parents of a boy with an autism diagnosis: 'We know he has autism, but why does he behave the way he does?' The only available explanation would be an individual assessment of the child concerned and the settings that trigger any behavioural difficulties. Rippon ends by claiming the high rates of autism diagnoses are simply a reflection of human diversity. However, in doing so, she inadvertently reflects what those concerned about overdiagnosis are actually saying. It's precisely because we welcome human diversity that we wonder why such high levels of diagnosis are necessary to understand Richard HassallKnaresborough, North Yorkshire As there are so many references to a 'bad old past' in Gina Rippon's article, I thought it might be helpful if I commented on some of the misapprehensions she expresses. I worked as an academic child psychiatrist from the 1960s to the 1990s, including as a psychiatrist to a school for autistic children. First, the rise in diagnoses has been even greater than Rippon suggests. In the first edition of my textbook, published in 1986, I give the prevalence as three to four per 10,000 children. It is now at least 100, a 30-fold rise. Second, the rise is either entirely or almost entirely due to a redefinition of the condition. So-called Asperger syndrome has been abolished as a diagnosis and merged into 'autistic spectrum disorder'. Third, I do not recognise the supposed difficulty in diagnosing girls with this condition. Certainly, I had no hesitation in doing so when it was indicated. Whether the redefinition of autism is good news or bad news, I, like many others, would find it difficult to say. Alongside the change in definition has come a welcome reduction in stigmatisation and greater willingness to attend relevant services. On the other hand, child mental health services are overwhelmed and many parents are frustrated by their incapacity to obtain what they, quite unrealistically, see as life-changing help. Rather than seeking a definitive diagnosis, many would be better served by encouragement to see their problematic children as 'different' and needing an upbringing tailored to their particular strengths and GrahamEmeritus professor of child psychiatry, University College London Gina Rippon presents the astonishing rise in autism diagnoses as evidence that more members of marginalised groups are benefiting from being diagnosed. It is true that growing numbers of people are suffering mental distress, and the evidence links this with increased poverty and inequality. It is also true that access to services and welfare typically still requires a psychiatric diagnosis. But it is entirely unjustified to describe autism as an incurable, neurodevelopmental brain disorder, except in the case of a small number of individuals who will require lifelong support and may never live independently. The extension of autism diagnoses to potentially include billionaires like Elon Musk, along with celebrities and others with successful careers, is unsupported by evidence. In fact, despite Rippon's claim of 'stunning advances', no neural or genetic factor robust enough to aid diagnosis or predict treatment response has ever been found. Additionally, there are significant disadvantages to framing diagnostic labels as identities to be celebrated. The experiences described by many people now claiming to be autistic are better explained as consequences of the rootlessness and individualism that characterise everyday life today, the effects of what sociologists call 'victimhood cultures', the invidious influence of social media, and the contribution of abuse and other adverse experiences to distress of all forms. We do not need yet another way to individualise and commodify the grossly uneven impacts of these social pressures. Instead, we need to fundamentally transform our profoundly unequal society, dismantling the myths that make inequality appear John CrombyHonorary professor of mental health and psychology, University of Nottingham Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Lack of support for Cambridgeshire man with learning disability
An apology has been made to a man with a learning disability after they did not receive the care coordinator they were entitled Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found fault with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust (CPFT) and Peterborough City Council's adult social care for not allocating a coordinator to the man, referred to as Mr also found local policy was written more restrictively than national guidance in such three organisations wrote to Mr Y to apologise for the distress caused through "avoidable uncertainty" and acknowledged the failings. When someone has a mental health disorder, local authorities and ICBs have a duty to provide or arrange free aftercare services for anyone previously detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. 'Comprehensive review' A report to be put before a council committee on 8 July states: "There are people with a learning disability and people who are autistic who access mental health services, and they would be entitled to the same offer of support as everyone else accessing those services, however, Mr Y was not provided with the same offer."It adds that it is "essential" a suitable care coordinator is identified to help an individual to navigate complicated care systems and provide ombudsman found the local policy was restrictive, for example, it stated that a care coordinator needed to be a health care provider, while national guidance left it open for social workers to take on the role ombudsman also found there was a discrepancy in the agreement with the scope of delegated functions between the ICB and CPFT."The scope includes people suffering with mental illness as well as challenging behaviour which then creates a gap as there are no dedicated care coordinator roles for specialist learning disability health services," the report City Council's prevention, independence and resilience scrutiny committee is recommended to consider that the CPFT, the ICB and council agree an interim solution before local policy and commissioning issues are resolved, whereby Mr Y's allocated social worker acts as the care committee will also consider a comprehensive review of the current policies and procedures takes place to align with national guidance. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Finextra
23-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
CI&T delivers prototype app for Project Nemo
CI&T, an AI and tech acceleration partner, has today announced Nemo, Art of the Possible — a groundbreaking prototype of a financial app created in collaboration with Project Nemo, the not-for-profit grassroots initiative driving to improve disability inclusion in the fintech and financial services industries. 0 Nemo was designed to support any adult with a learning disability in managing their finances more independently and safely. The prototype is a direct response to the Project Nemo report, Safe Spending for Adults with a Learning Disability, published earlier in June, developed by Firefish, sponsored by Nationwide and commissioned by Project Nemo, with support from Mencap and Dosh. The report exposed a stark reality: 38% of people with learning disabilities need ongoing help with everyday spending, and 32% do not have a bank account in their own name. It also highlighted how complex banking processes, inaccessible tools, and a lack of personalised support leave many financially excluded and at risk. CI&T's team engaged directly with individuals with lived experience — people with learning disabilities, carers, and accessibility experts — to design an app that addresses these challenges head-on. For the first time, this community has had a direct voice at the design table—an opportunity to share their needs and perspectives with the financial services industry. This marks a significant shift from the past, when individuals with learning disabilities had little choice but to accept what was offered. Now, their input provides valuable, practical insights that can help shape more inclusive and responsive banking services. In only six weeks, CI&T created Nemo, leveraging CI&T's enterprise-ready AI platform CI&T FLOW. Built with accessibility and ease of use as core principles, Nemo is a highly adaptive, inclusive digital product that empowers users to take control of their financial lives, while still allowing for trusted support where needed. While primarily designed for adults with learning disabilities, its advanced features and versatile configurability also significantly benefit neurodiverse individuals and anyone seeking greater confidence and support in managing their finances. Some of these features include: Supported decision-making: Users maintain complete control of their accounts; supporters can view and offer encouragement, but never act without explicit permission. Personalised onboarding: The app adapts to each user's confidence, habits, and accessibility needs. Calm mode: Reduces sensory overload and simplifies the interface during stressful moments. Emergency pot: A protected fund for unexpected needs, with optional spending locks and supporter assistance. Supporter Oversight: Trusted third parties receive real-time alerts and offer support while users remain in control. Learning over time: The app evolves with users, gradually unlocking more features as confidence grows. 'The path to true innovation is paved with diversity, accessibility, and inclusion,' said Solange Sobral, EVP & Partner at CI&T. 'This project truly reflects the Art of the Possible, and we hope it serves as a catalyst for financial institutions to lead the way in evolving digital products to be more inclusive. We're proud to partner with Project Nemo to build a solution that gives individuals with learning disabilities greater financial autonomy.' 'I'm incredibly thankful to the CI&T team for not only pulling this together so quickly, but also with such remarkable care, attention, and quality. This combination is rare and a true testament to a team and culture that performs exceptionally while engaging thoughtfully through the entire process. Seeing something so powerful created, something the community can now truly touch and interact with, is a profound way of giving voice to their needs.' said Joanne Dewar, Founder of Project Nemo. Some of the individuals with firsthand experience who collaborated on the prototype's development included Kris Foster, Co-Founder of Project Nemo and George Webster, a BAFTA-winning actor and presenter known from CBeebies and Mencap. Webster is featured in the prototype and presents in-app video explanations, such as for Terms and Conditions, to make them easier to understand. The app is not only a practical tool, but also a statement of intent. It demonstrates how the financial sector can and should evolve to serve everyone, not just those who fit the standard mould. It also shows that inclusive innovation doesn't require compromise, only the will to involve those most affected from the start. The launch marks a milestone in the movement for financial accessibility, a practical, purpose-driven solution that turns research into action and empowers a community that has waited too long to be included. With this launch, CI&T and Project Nemo are driving toward a more equitable financial future where independence and inclusion are within reach for everyone.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some people with learning disabilities struggling to access banking
Some adults with learning disabilities could be raising their risk of financial harm due to struggles to access banking services, a report has warned. Informal workarounds are being used to help some people with a learning disability to get by financially, including handing over Pins to others and allowing family members to impersonate them on the phone. The research was published by Project Nemo – a not-for-profit campaign for disability inclusion in banking and financial technology – and sponsored by Nationwide Building Society. Around a third (32%) of adults with a learning disability who took part in the research did not have their own bank account. Some of those who took part in the research said they struggle with passwords or logins, or find it difficult to talk to bank staff, or find security checks hard to complete. The report also argued that the general shift away from payments made using coins and banknotes may have left vulnerable people behind. The report recommended that financial technology developers and financial services providers should include clear and simple language in banking features, with visual explanations where possible. The ability to intercept 'risky' purchases could also help to bolster people's independence, the report said. Features for products should include savings pots, a calm mode to reduce overwhelm, and wearable alternatives to payment cards, researchers suggested. Researchers carried out in-depth interviews as well as a survey of more than 1,600 people who identified as having a characteristic of vulnerability. Kris Foster, co-founder of Project Nemo, urged banks to 'break down the existing barriers'. Kathryn Townsend, Nationwide's head of customer vulnerability and accessibility, said: 'Everyone deserves to manage their money with confidence, dignity and independence.' Jon Sparkes, chief executive of charity Mencap, said: 'People with a learning disability tell us that they can struggle to make payments safely because of complex banking systems, inaccessible payment options and a lack of 'easy read' information. 'Because of these barriers, many worry about being more vulnerable to financial abuse and not being able to spend their money in the way they want to. Project Nemo's work is a hugely important step towards ensuring the 1.5 million people with a learning disability across the UK can make their financial choices safely and independently.' A spokesperson for trade body UK Finance said: 'The banking and finance industry is committed to helping all customers. Firms offer a range of services to help support customers with learning disabilities, and we encourage people to contact their bank to discuss the options available. The industry also works with various third sector organisations to help them understand challenges customers face and improve accessibility. 'To ensure cash access is still available for all, customers are able to withdraw and deposit money in banking hubs and post offices across the UK.' UK Finance also released a report on Thursday into progress made by banks following the introduction of the Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship (DFCE) in December 2024, which aims to improve the entrepreneurial landscape for people with disabilities. The code sets out commitments to further widen opportunities for disabled entrepreneurs, including providing people with accessible and practical support, such as mentoring and networking events. The report said banks' initiatives include establishing specific teams dedicated to disability inclusion, with a focus on tracking and supporting people who identify as having a disability. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Irish Times
23-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
‘Uncertain future': concerns for students with mild disabilities over proposed redesignation of special schools
Within weeks of starting secondary school in September 2024, Emer Cobbe could see her son's confidence begin to drain away. 'He was sitting in a classroom with other kids who were just firing ahead of him academically. By the second term, he had hit rock bottom. Really, looking back, he was drowning,' she recalls. Conor had been diagnosed with a mild general learning disability at the start of primary school. Most children with this type of diagnosis have a lower IQ and may struggle to understand concepts and can struggle to make friends as they grow older. While they may start out in mainstream schools, many fall behind as they get older. READ MORE By chance, Cobbe heard of Scoil Eoin in Crumlin in south Dublin, a special school that caters to children with mild general learning disabilities aged between nine and 18 years. While speaking to the school principal Debbie O'Neill on a visit with her son, she burst into tears. 'She just got him; she understood and described him to a tee ... Children like Conor, they don't step above the parapet, they don't have behavioural problems. They sit there quietly and you'd never know anything was going wrong.' Since he enrolled last September, Cobbe says her son is like a different child. 'He loves not having a uniform; talking with his friends on the bus; having the same teacher for all classes. He's good with his hands and loves woodwork and cooking, which he was wasn't able to do before ... He's happy and feels a huge sense of achievement,' she says. Debbie O'Neill, principal of Scoil Eoin, with pupils. The school caters to pupils with mild disabilities who have struggled in mainstream, but do not have the complex conditions associated with students in other special schools. Photograph: Alan Betson O'Neill says she sees success stories like Conor's all the time: most of its students go on to complete the Leaving Cert Applied and progress into further education courses or employment. Now, however, the principal worries that much of this work is under threat. She says special schools such as Scoil Eoin, which cater to children with mild general learning disabilities, are being put under pressure by the Government to change their classification and cater instead to pupils with more complex needs. This, she says, means children with mild disabilities will be 'pushed back into mainstream schools that have already failed them'. In all, there are 30 special schools that cater to children with mild general learning disabilities, serving more than 3,000 pupils in 30 schools across 19 counties. [ Boy who repeated sixth class because schools were full still has no secondary school place Opens in new window ] A circular issued by the Department of Education in recent weeks states that the work is due to begin on 'reviewing the designation of existing special schools'. The department says many special schools originally established to cater to students with a mild general learning disability have 'diversified' and now respond to a 'broader range of students' needs from within their respective catchment areas'. It says this is in keeping with the department's policy on inclusive education, and facilitates students with more complex needs to be educated in their local special school. O'Neill, however, says the proposed redesignation of schools represents not just a policy shift, but a 'direct threat to the quality and integrity of education provided to our students'. 'Their educational futures – and their fundamental right to appropriate, specialised support – are now at serious risk,' she says. 'These students are some of the most misunderstood and overlooked in the education system and they are now left with an uncertain future.' Scoil Eoin at teacher Jane McCluskey and principal Debbie O'Neill with students. Photograph: Alan Betson It may, on the face of it, seem like a technical reclassification, O'Neill says. In reality, she says, it would 'fundamentally alter who we are and who we serve'. 'These children learn differently but they are every bit as capable of growth, success and joy when given the right environment. This is what our schools provide,' she says. 'Many of our students have experienced years of struggle in mainstream, facing school refusal, anxiety, or deep feelings of failure. In our schools, they find stability, dignity, and hope. They are not just surviving; they are thriving.' These special schools deliver the full primary curriculum, junior cycle and the Leaving Certificate Applied. Instead of creating new special school places, she says the department's plan 'simply reallocates existing ones'. This, she says, will end up pushing children with mild general learning disabilities back into mainstream environments that have already failed them. 'This is not inclusive education. It is reactive, rushed, and deeply unfair.' Minister for Education Helen McEntee has said her department is committed to delivering an education system where 'every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential'. Her department says that as more special classes are provided, particularly at post-primary level, this provides more options for children with complex special needs to attend local schools. 'It is essential that special schools work to support children with the most complex needs and that children are not required to pass one or more special schools to access a special school place, because of the narrow designation of some special schools. It is essential that we work to ensure more children requiring a special school place can access their nearest special school.' Cobbe, meanwhile, is convinced that the Government move is a retrograde step. 'I think those in authority don't understand; they don't see the spectrum of need ... It could be the difference between a child working in a job they thrive in or being on supports for the rest of their life.' Her son Conor, now 15, has thrived in sports, in particular, and is thinking of becoming a carpenter. 'Last week he won a football match in Portlaoise, an All-Ireland for children with mild disabilities, and felt a huge sense of achievement. He was made to feel hugely valued. These are kids who have other talents than academic ones. We really need to value them.'
