Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism

The Care Certificate standard on learning disability and autism requires the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. What is the main purpose of this training?

• ATo train staff to diagnose autism and learning disabilities
• BTo give health and social care staff the right knowledge and skills to support autistic people and people with a learning disability✓
• CTo replace all other Care Certificate standards
• DTo qualify staff as autism specialists

Answer: The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government's preferred and recommended training to ensure the health and social care workforce has the right skills and knowledge to provide safe, compassionate and informed care to autistic people and people with a learning disability. It is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the need for better training.

What does the social model of disability state?

• ADisability is caused only by a person's medical condition or impairment
• BPeople are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference✓
• CDisabled people should be cared for separately from society
• DDisability cannot be reduced by any changes to the environment

Answer: The social model of disability says that people are disabled by barriers in society - such as inaccessible buildings, negative attitudes, or a lack of reasonable adjustments - rather than by their impairment or difference. Removing these barriers promotes inclusion and equality.

What is a "reasonable adjustment" when supporting an autistic person or a person with a learning disability?

• AA change that is too expensive and so can be ignored
• BA change to remove or reduce a barrier so the person can access care and services on an equal basis✓
• CAn adjustment only made if the person formally complains
• DA temporary change that must be reversed after one visit

Answer: Reasonable adjustments are changes that remove or reduce barriers so disabled people can access services on an equal basis with others - for example, longer appointments, easy-read information, or a quieter environment. They are a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010.

An autistic person you support finds spoken instructions overwhelming. Which approach best supports their communication needs?

• ARepeat the same spoken instruction louder until they respond
• BUse clear, simple language and consider visual aids, easy-read or extra processing time, tailored to the person✓
• CAsk a colleague to give the instructions instead
• DAvoid communicating with them to prevent distress

Answer: Good communication is person-centred. Using clear, simple language, allowing extra processing time, and offering visual supports or easy-read formats can help an autistic person understand and be understood. You should adapt to each individual's preferred communication methods.

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, how should you approach the capacity of a person with a learning disability to consent to care?

• AAssume they always lack capacity because they have a learning disability
• BAssume they have capacity unless it is shown otherwise, and assess capacity for each specific decision✓
• CAlways ask a family member to decide on their behalf
• DCapacity does not apply to people with a learning disability

Answer: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 starts from the presumption that every adult has capacity. A learning disability or autism does not, by itself, mean a person lacks capacity. Capacity is decision-specific and must be assessed for each decision, with all practicable support given to help the person decide for themselves.