Occupation

Abstracts
Posters
pose the question – If you don’t know if someone has a sight
problem then how valid is your overall assessment process?
This poster presentation will discuss how occupational therapists
can use various types of functional visual assessments to
recognise hidden sight loss in adults within this area. We will
highlight some of the different types of assessments available
and illustrate how sight related behaviours can be identified
through observation examine the impact of the environment and
what changes can be made to support a person’s independence.
We will also discuss how this information can be imbedded into
everyday practice and how it can be incorporated into existing
occupational therapy assessment processes.
References
RNIB (2011) The Estimated Prevalence of Visual Impairment
among People with Learning Disabilities in the UK. Emerson E &
Robertson J (2011) Available at: https://www.rnib.org.uk/sites/
default/files/Emerson%20report.pdf Accessed on 11.08.15
Vision 2020 Strategy Report (2008) Available at: http://www.
vision2020uk.org.uk/uk-vision-strategy-final-report-word-format/
Accessed on 11.08.15
Keywords
Learning disability, Practice development, Practice – present and
future, Voluntary/third sector services
Contact E-mail Addresses
linda.cruickshank@rnib.org.uk
Author Biographies
Linda Cruickshank is a Vision Support Officer working within the
Learning Disability and Complex Needs Team at RNIB Scotland.
She supports people who have a sight loss and their family/
carers. She is also part of the UK Practice Development Team
training professionals and carers in Health and Social Care,
voluntary and private sectors as part of the Vision Champion and
Vision Awareness training programme to increase the awareness
of hidden sight loss for people who have complex needs. Linda
is an experienced Occupational Therapist.
June Neil has been employed by RNIB for 15 years in a variety of
roles supporting adults with complex needs and sight loss.
She joined UK Practice Development Team in 2011 and has been
involved in the development of
• training programmes focusing on Hidden Sight Loss within
complex needs
• resources materials for Health and Social Care professionals
• research around Effectiveness of Vision Awareness training
for Health and Social Care supporting adults with learning
disabilities in partnership Glasgow Caledonian University and
Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS.
P58
A sensory exploration: how we made room on the
broom come to life!
Robinson J, Mcgloin C, Hurst H, Saunders C, Tees Esk and
Wear Valeeys NHS Foundation Trust
The aims of the group were to highlight creative and interactive
ideas that would allow exploration of the senses and to support
day service staff in developing new techniques and mediums to
encourage engagement, interaction, communication and activity
levels with clients who have Profound and Multiple Learning
Disabilities.
Four individuals with varying levels of ability and sensory
impairments e.g. visual/hearing attended the group. The
group was run at a local day service and the environment was
considered with regards to lighting, heat and physical space
to accommodate postural equipment, wheelchairs and props.
Sessions were developed using a mixture of arts and crafts
(Mencap 2008) and sensory stories (Young and Lambe 2011).
Products made in the arts and crafts sessions were then used
within the stories to ensure familiarity and continuity for the
individuals and staff.
On completion of the sessions it was recognised that this group
could be adapted for the individuals within their own homes to
support their carers to explore new activities and enhance quality
of life. The group could also be adapted further for more able
service users.
Feedback received from staff and via direct observation of
individuals in the group resulted in the sessions being graded
and adapted throughout to ensure maximum interaction. From
the evaluation of the group by staff and participants (where
possible) it was evident that all involved had enjoyed the group
and felt that they had benefitted from the experience. It was
reported that they would use the skills learned to ensure future
activities incorporated the techniques demonstrated.
Prior to the commencement of this group the service had been
predominantly an assessment service due to a lack of capacity.
Therefore, this group has enabled the OT staff to rediscover the
roots of OT and benefits to OT specific treatment. This group
has resulted in a new found enthusiasm for group work and
therapeutic based activity within the team.
References
Mencap (2008) The arts and people with profound and
multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). London. Available
at: https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/
documents/2009-12/2008.292%20The%20arts%20and%20
people%20with%20profound%20and%20multiple%20
learning%20disabilities.pdf (Accessed 09/08/2015).
Young, H. & Lambe, L. (2011) ‘Multi-Sensory Storytelling: For
People with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities’, PMLD
Link, 23(1), pp.29–31. Available at: http://www.pmldlink.org.uk/
wp-content/uploads/2015/09/PMLD-Link-Issue-68.pdf.
Keywords
Learning disability, Practice development, New or emerging
roles, NHS
Contact E-mail Addresses
caroline.mcgloin@nhs.net
Author Biographies
Helen Hurst Occupational Therapy Assistant Adult Learning
Disabilities.
Charlotte Saunders Occupational Therapy 2 nd year MSc Student
Teesside University.
P59
Tackling inequity in provision of postural equipment
in lying – a joint forum approach
McGloin C, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation
Trust
A forum of occupational therapists and physiotherapists was
formed from different services and providers with the aim of
offering specialist workshops and training, product reviews, case
discussions and support for staff using posture management
skills.
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