Research Resources

Damian Milton on 'Double Empathy'

In this video, Autism expert Dr. Damian Milton discusses the 'double empathy' problem and non-verbal social flow. As part of an Atlass seminar, Damian discusses his research into the difficulty autistic individuals share with their supporters to empathise with one another, leading to a breakdown in reciprocity. Read more here: (https://network.autism.org.uk/knowledge/insight-opinion/double-empathy-problem).

Restrictive Practices Lecture

Director Andrew McDonnell discusses restrictive practices in the UK. Our feeling at Studio 3 has always been to avoid excessive restraint, which for many people is a frightening concept in practice. Our training centres around cultivating confident carers who feel capable to reduce their use of restraint whilst remaining in control.

Who has the problem? Low Arousal with Bo Heijlskov Elven

In this series of 14 short videos, our colleague Bo Heijlskov Elven goes into depth about what Low Arousal is and why it is important for parents and carers working with behaviours of concern. In this first installment, Bo asks 'Who has the problem?' Some forms of challenging behaviour are an attempt to regulate levels of arousal, and often the 'problem' is with our perception of that behaviour.

Happiness and Wellbeing Lecture

Studio 3 Director and Clinical Psychologist Andrew McDonnell discusses the concepts of happiness and well-being during a lecture at Birmingham City University. Why is happiness essential to well-being, and how can we work to be conscious of and cultivate happiness in our work? More on positive psychology here: (https://www.studio3.org/positive-psychology).

Academic Research

'The Last Resort? Staff and Client Perspectives on Physical Intervention'

Fish, R. and Culshaw, E. (2005) 'The Last Resort? Staff and Client Perspectives on Physical Intervention', Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 9(2): 93-107

'Automatic Processes and Individual Differences in Aggressive Behaviour'

Richetin, J. and Richardson, D.S. (2007) 'Automatic Processes and Individual DIfferences in Aggressive Behaviour', Aggression and Violent Behaviour, 13: 423-430

'Staff Training in Physical Interventions: A Literature Review'

McDonnell, A.A., O’Shea, M., Bews-Pugh, S., McAuliffe, H. & Deveau, R. (202). Staff Training in Physical Interventions: A Literature Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14.

'A grounded theory study on work related stress in professionals who provide health & social care for people who exhibit behaviours that challenge'

Rippon, D., McDonnell, A., Smith, M.A., McCreadie, M. & Wetherell, M.A. (2020). A grounded theory study on work related stress in professionals who provide health & social care for people who exhibit behaviours that challenge, PLoS ONE, 15(2): e0229706

'Adolescence, Stress and Cortisol in Autism Spectrum Disorders'

Corbett, B.A. and Simon, D. (2013) 'Adolescence, Stress and Cortisol in Autism Spectrum Disorders', Open Access Autism, 1(1): 2

'The Social Validation of Three Physical Restraint Procedures: A Comparison of Young People and Professional Groups'

McDonnell, A. and Sturmey, P. (2000) 'The Social Validation of Three Physical Restraint Procedures: A Comparison of Young People and Professional Groups', Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21: 85-92

'Coping with Violent Situations in the Caring Environment'

McDonnell, A., McEvoy, J. and Durdan, R.L. (1994) 'Coping with Violent Situations in the Caring Environment', In: Wykes, T (eds) Violence and Health Care Professionals. Springer: Boston. pp. 189-206.

managing challenging behaviour in adult.

'Managing Challenging Behaviour in An Adult with Learning Disabilities: The Use of Low Arousal Approaches'

Lane, A., McDonnell, A., Johnson, A. and Reeves, S. (1998) 'Managing Challenging Behaviour in An Adult with Learning Disabilities: The Use of Low Arousal Approaches', Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 26: 163-171

developing behaviour management strategi

'Developing Non-Aversive Behaviour Management Strategies: The Use of Low Arousal Approaches'

Unpublished Manuscript

ethical approaches to physical intervent

'Low Arousal Approaches in the Management of Challenging Behaviours'

McDonnell, A., Waters, T. and Jones, D. (2003) 'Low Arousal Approaches in the Management of Challenging Behaviours', In: Allen, D.(eds) Ethical Approaches to Physical Interventions Vol. 1: Responding to Challenging Behaviour in People with Intellectual Disabilities. Kidderminster: BILD. pp. 104-114.

Articles of Interest

Below are a series of articles and blog posts written by our associates which are relevant to our work here at Studio 3, and contribute to the continued development of our theories, practices and ideas.

Stress Causes Whole Body Deterioration

Stress, to put it bluntly, is bad for you. It can kill you, in fact. A study now reveals that stress causes deterioration in everything from your gums to your heart and can make you more susceptible to everything from the common cold to cancer.

Read Here

Positive Emotions and Wellbeing: Rethinking Special Needs Support

Michael Harboe Kvistgaard on positive psychology, Martin Seligman's model of happiness, and how these concepts come into play when supporting children and adults with additional needs.

Read Here

Panorama Investigates Whorlton Hall

CEO of BILD Ben Higgens discusses the BBC Panorama documentary 2019 exposing the horrendous abuse at Whorlton Hall Hospital in County Durham.

Read Here

The SPELL Framework

SPELL is The National Autistic Society’s framework for understanding and responding to the needs of children and adults on the autism spectrum.

Read Here

Desperately Needed: Respite

Maureen Bennie of the Autism Awareness Centre discusses how important it is to take a break from time to time, and how this can be particularly challenging for the parents of children with additional needs.

Read Here