Despite the increasing application of qualitative interviewing and analysis approaches, individuals with expressive language difficulties are still frequently excluded from such research. In this article, the authors seek to clarify the role for and importance of conducting qualitative interviews with respondents with impaired expressive language. They review current research with reference to studies conducted with individuals with intellectual disabilities or dementia, or those who have experienced stroke or traumatic brain injury, and identify deficits within existing research. They consider the challenges and difficulties that contribute to the limited inclusion of individuals with impaired expressive communication in qualitative interviews and discuss the way forward with suggestions of possible means of overcoming these obstacles. They argue that a willingness to adapt methods appropriately and to modify expectations is an important factor in ensuring that researchers hear the voice of respondents with expressive language deficits.

The behavioural differences between those referred and the comparison group suggest that two factors are involved in the instigation of a referral for a dementia assessment: the nature of the behavioural presentation (excesses rather than deficits) and the effect of that behavioural change upon the care staff.

An increasing number of studies have begun to explore the subjective experience of individuals with dementia. However, despite the increased prevalence of dementia in individuals with Down syndrome, no such published research has been undertaken within this population. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and subjective experiences of six individuals with Down syndrome and dementia. Semi-structured interview accounts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, in order to gain a level of understanding concerning the impact of dementia upon respondents’ lives and sense of self. Five main themes emerged: (1) Self-image, (2) The Relational Self, (3) Making Sense of Decline,(4) Coping Strategies and (5) Emotional Experience. Whilst the process of adjusting to dementia appeared comparable to the general population, the content of this was influenced by multiple levels of context specific to having a concomitant intellectual disability.

Background Whereas there is a knowledge base on staff attributions of challenging behaviour, there has been little research on the effects of training, type of behaviour and biological context on staff attributions of controllability in the context of people with intellectual disabilities and dementia. Methods A mixed design was used to investigate the effects of three factors on care staff attributions of the controllability of challenging behaviour. Pre-and posttraining measures were administered to participants (n ¼ 97) attending training on ageing, dementia and people with intellectual disabilities. Results No significant effects of diagnosis or type of behaviour on attributions were found. There was a significant increase in knowledge after training (P < 0.001) and training was found to significantly decrease the attribution of controllability (P < 0.001).Conclusion These results suggest that training that focuses on aspects of change relevant to behaviour can favourably influence care staff's knowledge and attributions of controllability within the context of people with Down syndrome and dementia.

Background. Informant based assessment of behavioural change and difference in