"I'm a Man Now": Using Narrative Therapy to Support an Adult with Down Syndrome Transition to a New Life

Autor/inn/en	Lau-Zhu, Alex; Mann, Judith
Titel	"I'm a Man Now": Using Narrative Therapy to Support an Adult with Down Syndrome Transition to a New Life
Quelle	In: British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 51 (2023) 4, S.577-585 (9 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Lau-Zhu, Alex)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1354-4187
DOI	10.1111/bld.12526
Schlagwörter	Males; Adults; Down Syndrome; Transitional Programs; Learning Disabilities; Personal Narratives; Therapy; Positive Attitudes; Quality of Life; Improvement; Language Usage + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Male; Männliches Geschlecht; 'Downs Syndrome; Down''s Syndrome'; Down-Syndrom; Learning handicap; Lernbehinderung; Erlebniserzählung; Therapie; Lebensqualität; Qualitätssteigerung; Sprachgebrauch
Abstract	Background: Residential transitions have long been recognised as challenging for people with learning disabilities and can be packed with problem stories. Narrative Therapy practices have the potential to centre the voice of people with learning disabilities; to enable alternative stories to be told; and to shine a light on their own and their support system's resources for change. Methods: Colin, a 36-year-old man with Down syndrome and a learning disability, met with the first author for nine sessions. Narrative Therapy practices (also drawing on systemic ideas) were used, including the Tree of Life, Outsider Witness Practice, Therapeutic Documentation and Definitional Ceremony. Feedback from Colin and the staff team was gathered through qualitative and quantitative means. Findings: Colin was keen to share his life stories and explored ideas about his "new life", wanting to "stay strong" and "stay happy". Staff noted an improvement in household stress and perceived ability to support Colin. An improvement in quality of life was also demonstrated with a self-report questionnaire. Conclusions: By acknowledging the power of language, narrative practices offer tools to help people with learning disabilities and their support system in making sense of and navigating important life transitions. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01