|
Researchers |
Professor
Jennifer Wishart (Educational
Studies, School of Education) University of Edinburgh, Dr
Tom Pitcairn (Psychology), Dr Walter Muir (Psychiatry),
Dr Debra Bowyer, Miss Judith Scott (Educational Studies, School
of Education), University of Edinburgh
For
other related projects, see Professor Wishart's website at www.education.ed.ac.uk/es/jw |
|
Abstract |
This
project is focused on promoting research into some of the major effects
of learning disabilities on lifespan behaviour and health, drawing
on the complementary knowledge bases and methodologies of psychology,
psychiatry, education and genetics. The interdisciplinary group associated
with this MRC development grant aimed: to advance understanding of
lifespan development in those with learning disabilities, relating
this to theories of typical and atypical development; to examine
factors influencing developmental trajectories and adult outcomes,
relating these to quality of life; to link variability in functioning
to underlying neurology and genetics; to inform service provision
and intervention strategies for children and adults with learning
disabilities*. Down's syndrome served as the 'benchmark' disability
because of its high incidence rate and known aetiology and because
of the relatively wide variation seen in outcomes within and across
different developmental domains. Data on children and adults with
other forms of learning disability were also gathered, however, in
areas of investigation where previous research suggested that contrasting
developmental profiles might emerge.
*information on a number of the group's related projects can be found
on Professor Wishart's website: www.education.ed.ac.uk/es/jw |
|
Publications |
Wishart,
J.G. (1999). Learning and development in children with Down's syndrome.
In Slater, A. & Muir, D. (Eds), Blackwell Reader in Developmental
Psychology (pp493-508). Oxford: Blackwell
Pitcairn, T.K.& Wishart, J.G. (2000). Face processing in children
with Down syndrome. In Weeks, D., Chua, R., and Elliott, D. (Eds), Perceptual-Motor
Development in Down Syndrome. (pp. 123-147), Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics
Muir, W.J. (2000). Genetic advances and learning disability. British
Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 12-18
Wishart, J.G. & Pitcairn, T.K. (2000). The recognition of identity
and expression in faces by children with Down syndrome. American Journal
on Mental Retardation, 105, 466-479
Wishart, J.G. (2002). Learning in young children with Down's syndrome:
public perceptions, empirical evidence. In Cuskelly, M., Jobling, A. & Buckley,
S. (Eds), Down Syndrome Across the Lifespan (pp.18-27). London: Whurr.
Wishart, J.G (2004 in press) Learning in children with Downs Syndrome.
In Lewis, A & Norwich, B (eds), Special Teaching for Special Children:
A Pedagogy for Inclusion? Maidenhead, England: McGraw Hill/Open University
Press.
|
