Learning Disability: Physical Therapy, Treatment and Management: a collaborative approach

Edited by Jeanette Rennie.

Whurr Publishers

£25 (Paperback)

ISBN 1 86156 192 X

Many people with learning difficulties have significant physical
disabilities which impair their quality of life. For those who have
cerebral palsy the ortho-paedic surgeon may need to intervene to
ensure maximum physical mobility. But for most people with learning
difficulties it is the physiotherapist who plays the key role in
minimising the impact of physical disabilities.

This multi-author textbook provides physiotherapy students with
basic information when working with people who have learning
difficulties.

The book opens with an overview of current policy highlighting
the importance, for those in the NHS, of the Health Act 1999. This
legislation should facilitate partnerships in the delivery of
health care. The chapter on the multi-professional learning
difficulties team includes some helpful case studies of effective
teamwork. The chapter on the interpretation of assessments contains
important messages for all who undertake therapeutic work in the
learning difficulty field.

Although this book is directed at physiotherapists in training
it will be of interest to all who work with people with learning
difficulties who also have physical disabilities.

Oliver Russell is a psychiatrist and, until recently,
director of Norah Fry Research Centre, University of
Bristol.