What informs and shapes ethical practice in Intellectual Disability services?

Abstract

Findings revealed systemic pressure on professionals to find 'definitive' solutions to ethical dilemmas when the issues were not open to such resolution. Findings were reviewed in light of ethical literature that shows how professionals' work inevitably features close and enduring relationships with people with ID. We suggest professionals need to draw on ethical frameworks that can accommodate relational aspects of their practice.

‘You have to care.’ perceptions of promoting autonomy in support settings for adults with intellectual disability

“…Consistent with Wilson et al . (), the support worker participants reported going above and beyond to advocate for the people that they assisted. Yet, although support workers expressed their desire to advocate and care for the people that they assisted, they worked under necessary institutional objectives (e.g.…”

“…; Leyin & Wakerly ) and challenging ethical issues (Wilson et al . ). Because support workers are in a unique position to promote or inhibit autonomy (Grimby ), these issues also directly impact people with intellectual disability in a way that can potentially diminish their autonomy (Test et al .…”

“…This is especially true for people with more significant disabilities who may have the most compromised autonomy of any group (Lakin et al 2008). Support workers, themselves, face challenges that impact their ability to promote autonomy within support services, including: high turnover rates (Larson & Lakin 1999), lack of support workers for hire , inadequate wages (Hewitt et al 2008;Larson & Lakin 1999;Test et al 2003), inadequate training (Test et al 2004), depression and stress (Gray-Stanley et al 2010;Leyin & Wakerly 2007) and challenging ethical issues (Wilson et al 2008). Because support workers are in a unique position to promote or inhibit autonomy (Grimby 2002), these issues also directly impact people with intellectual disability in a way that can potentially diminish their autonomy (Test et al 2003).…”

Sexuality: Experience of Women with Physical Disabilities

“…Despite sexuality is something inherent to every person, sexual problems receive little attention from health professionals in various clinical situations [18]. Nevertheless, these professionals are important pieces in issues related to sexuality, since they are the connection between the society and people with disabilities.…”

“…It is as if, besides being disrespected and morally offended, she had to remain silent before someone who, in her understanding, was hierarchically superior. We must recall that respect and promotion of autonomy are ethical principles which should guide the practices of health professionals [18]. Ethics in health is the crucial point in the professional-patient relationship, and must be faced as a mandatory praxis in the routine of those who claim to be health promoters.…”