Day Service Cultures from the Perspectives of Autistic People with Profound Learning Disabilities

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Day Service Cultures from the Perspectives of Autistic People with Profound Learning Disabilities
Language: English
Authors: Ned Redmore (ORCID 0000-0003-3678-1411)
Source: British Journal of Learning Disabilities. 2024 52(1):54-65.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Adults, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Severe Disabilities, Day Programs, Social Services, Culture, Experience, Attitudes, Services, Positive Attitudes
DOI: 10.1111/bld.12545
ISSN: 1354-4187
1468-3156
Abstract: Background: Service culture refers to the practices, views and values within service organisations. Developing positive cultures has been thought imperative to improving social care, though day services and their cultures remain an under-researched area. For many autistic people with profound learning disabilities, day services are the sites at which they orientate their Monday-Friday adult lives and so service cultures are fundamental to the way they experience adulthood. It was thus the purpose of this study to explore day service culture through the perspectives and experiences of this group. Methods: This study took a phenomenological approach involving extended participatory observations with an autistic person with profound learning disabilities at their day service, as well as broader ethnographic work within this context. Data was analysed through theory-led thematic analysis. Findings: The study found that autistic people with profound learning disabilities contribute their customs and values to service culture in everyday life and that space, time and place were important in this endeavour. It highlighted how these customs and values could be adopted or challenged by the service, its staff and their established culture. Conclusion: It is argued that positive service cultures are ones in which day services acknowledge and respond to the views and values of autistic people with profound learning disabilities. A potential framework is discussed to support services with this aim.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1410318
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:Background: Service culture refers to the practices, views and values within service organisations. Developing positive cultures has been thought imperative to improving social care, though day services and their cultures remain an under-researched area. For many autistic people with profound learning disabilities, day services are the sites at which they orientate their Monday-Friday adult lives and so service cultures are fundamental to the way they experience adulthood. It was thus the purpose of this study to explore day service culture through the perspectives and experiences of this group. Methods: This study took a phenomenological approach involving extended participatory observations with an autistic person with profound learning disabilities at their day service, as well as broader ethnographic work within this context. Data was analysed through theory-led thematic analysis. Findings: The study found that autistic people with profound learning disabilities contribute their customs and values to service culture in everyday life and that space, time and place were important in this endeavour. It highlighted how these customs and values could be adopted or challenged by the service, its staff and their established culture. Conclusion: It is argued that positive service cultures are ones in which day services acknowledge and respond to the views and values of autistic people with profound learning disabilities. A potential framework is discussed to support services with this aim.
ISSN:1354-4187
1468-3156
DOI:10.1111/bld.12545