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School of Nursing & Midwifery

4 Year Nursing Degree Programme (BSc Cur) Intellectual Disability Nursing

NU2D02 -Concepts of Intellectual Disability (5 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this module the student should be able to:

  • Explore the concept of mental health needs for the person with an intellectual disability and discuss the care of the client with a specific mental health need.
  • Analyse and apply relevant therapeutic best practices to various manifestations of challenging behaviour for the person with an intellectual disability.
  • Discuss the care of the person with an intellectual disability whose disability is associated with a genetic basis.

Module Learning Aims

This module is underpinned by person-centred care. It introduces the student to the concept and nature
of mental health and mental health problems for the person with an intellectual disability. It will equip the
student to explore supports / interventions for working positively with people who present with
behaviours that challenge and relate such understandings to service users who require a psycho-social
approach to service provision and delivery. This module also examines the care of the person whose
intellectual disability is associated with a genetic basis.

Recommended Reading List

Essential Reading

  • Atherton H. & Crickmore D., (eds.) (2011) Learning Disabilities - Towards Inclusion. 6th edn. Churchill Elsevier, Edinburgh.
  • Barr O. & Gates B., (2009) (eds.) Oxford Handbook of Learning and Intellectual Disability Nursing. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • Emerson E. & Einfeld S. (2011) Challenging Behaviour. 3rd Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Raghavan R. & Patel P. (2005) Learning Disabilities and Mental Health A Nursing Perspective . Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Psychological Society, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (2007) Challenging Behaviour A Unified Approach: Clinical and service guidelines for supporting people with learning disabilities who are at risk of receiving abusive or restrictive practices. Royal College of Psychiatrists, London.

* Additional readings will be given for each unit of learning.