Life History: The Impact of a Changing Service Provision on an Individual with Learning Disabilities

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Abstract
The life history of a woman with learning disabilities and severe challenging behaviour is reconstructed with the purpose of identifying the major events during 30 years of her life in institutions. She has no verbal or other means of communication and the study relied on information gathered during interviews with her parents and of previous services members of staff. The description of residential and educational environments provides a background to evaluate the impact of transitions and associated changes in service provision. The discussion adopts a longitudinal approach to identify the combined action of opportunities, support and significant life events on her quality of life. The analysis investigates the relationship between her reported levels of participation and problem behaviours over time.