Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government's preferred and recommended training on learning disability and autism. What is its main purpose?

• ATo train health and social care staff to diagnose autism and learning disabilities so that they can make referrals themselves without a specialist
• BTo qualify health and social care staff as autism specialists who are able to take over the whole role of a specialist diagnostic team
• CTo give health and social care staff the right knowledge and skills to support autistic people and people with a learning disability✓
• DTo place responsibility for this training entirely with the local authority

Answer: The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training gives health and social care staff the right skills and knowledge to provide safe, compassionate and informed care to autistic people and people with a learning disability. The Health and Care Act 2022 requires CQC-registered providers to train staff in learning disability and autism appropriate to their role, and this is the government's preferred and recommended training. It is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the need for better training.

What does the social model of disability state?

• ADisabled people should be cared for in separate settings away from the rest of society
• BPeople are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference✓
• CDisability is caused only by a person's medical condition or impairment
• DDisability arises from a person's impairment, which services exist to treat

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 to remove or reduce a barrier so the person can access care and services on an equal basis✓
• BAn adjustment made once the person has lodged a formal complaint about the service
• CA change the person pays for themselves, so the service does not bear the cost
• DA change to the person's care plan that moves them to a specialist service

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?

• AAvoid communicating with them to prevent distress
• BRepeat exactly the same spoken instruction more loudly on each occasion until the person eventually responds to you
• CRepeat the instructions louder and more slowly, until they are understood
• DUse clear, simple language and consider visual aids, easy-read or extra processing time, tailored to the person✓

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?

• AThe Mental Capacity Act does not apply to people with a learning disability, so consent is not needed from them
• BAssume they have capacity unless it is shown otherwise, and assess capacity for each specific decision✓
• CAssume that they lack capacity to consent, on the grounds that they have a diagnosed learning disability
• DAsk a family member to decide on their behalf, as next of kin

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.