The Learning Disability Reflection

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Learning Disability Reflection
By (Name)
Course
Instructor
Institution
City and State
Date

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Introduction
Reflection on one’s experience is developed to be a component of transformation that
integrates the learned theory into practice. Reflection is a recommendable method of
self-awareness and improving skills in the nursing field. Nurses are able to explore
through their experience, improve their understanding as well strengthen their
relationship with their mentors (Koshy et al., 2017 P.20). It is critically important in
highlighting awareness for furtherance of their clinical practices, by thinking of what was
well done and what was poorly done.Embracing and appreciating the reflective practice,
nurses and health practitioners are able to learn a lot from what they do. It does not only
add value to their profession but also gear them with lifelong competency which is a
great benefit in the nursing profession. (Jootun and McGarry, 2014 p.2).
Correspondingly, Driscoll’s model assists us to focus on the previous experiences we
encountered by asking about what was done, how it was done and lessons learned in
the experiences. Primarily the model has three major questions that help with a
reflection of clinical practice, What? So what? Now what? My own field of nursing is
Adult and alternate area of nursing is learning disability. Relatively the article explores
on my experience in a placement with adults who had a learning disability focusing on
risk.
What?
During my second year of study, I was placed for two months in a residential home for
the aged with learning disabilities. During my eight weeks in the residential home, my
main role was to care for old people with chronic disorders. I interacted with an old man
by the name Edson. Edson was 74 with aggregated learning disabilities, unable to
communicate, and had mobility difficulties. Edson still suffered from dementia and had a
nasogastric tube. Recent study confirms that the prevalence of dementia illness among
the old people ranges from 5-7%. The diseases become severe when one approaches
60 years and above. Edson being 74 years, was extremely affected by the condition. He
could not walk and therefore he used a wheelchair for movement. His eating habit was

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minimal as he was unable to swallow due to his condition (Moriconi et.al 2018 p.5). In
the meantime, the caregiver carelessly fed Edson orally with dry Cruciferous vegetables
while still talking to the other members of the staff and Edson started coughing after
being choked on food. Without much concern on patient’s reaction, the caregiver yelled
at Edson to swallow and stop pretending. The care giver told Edson that he was
pretending and he had to swallow the food. I offered myself to help out Edson and I told
the caregiver that I would feed him. The first thing I informed the team reader that
Edson was coughing. The team leader was very supportive (Daly et al., 2014 P. 75) and
gave Edson a flush using an enteral route. I assured Edson that all will be well and I will
help him eat bit by bit. The caregiver who was serving Edson went to serve another
patient. From the treatment of Edson with the previous caregiver, I realized that some
caregivers are reckless and are less concerned with their patients. Afterward, the leader
requested the caregiver who fed Edson to fill an incident report which I documented in
the patient's file after a countersign by the mentor. My mentor highlighted all the medical
problems of the patient and the need for care. In addition, the report also included what
happened to Edson and the recommendation for her condition. With the help of my
mentor, I was able to view Edson last year's choking incidence and the used care plan. I
also realized that speech and language therapy was earlier done. Edson's treatment
plan was aimed to meet different needs and highlighted precautions for helping Edson
swallow more easily without difficulty (Lambert, 2019 p.33). Some of the precautions
were, sitting upright when either drinking or eating. The food taken should be in small
bites. Take time in order to ensure the food in the mouth is cleared.
So What?
It was the fourth day of my placement on learning disability when the incidence
occurred. I never had enough courage to deal with the situation especially on seeing
how Edson was mistreated by the caregiver. Initially, I felt anxious and scared that I
could not even intervene for Edson during the harassment. Actually, I felt demoralized
by the situation. In any case, I could have helped to feed Edson when I learned he used
a nasogastric tube since I had a better understanding of physiology, instead of relying
on the caregiver who lacked ethics and had little knowledge on Edson health situation. It

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is always recommended that every individual involved in caring for people with
disabilities, know all the risks associated, and always keep a record of all risks involved
in the disability (Hill, 2019 P. 75). Somehow, I felt guilty that Edson was mistreated by
the caregiver and I should have acted quickly to prevent him from chocking. On the
contrary, my team leader was very pleased with my efforts of comforting and
encouraging Edson. Moreover, the leader thanked me for quickly responding to the
situation and he believed I was capable of handling future related incidences. For many
nursing students, they often get stranded in the placement, due to lack of proper
guidelines (Weurlander et al., 2018 p. 74). They are faced with emotional challenges.
Just like I was, many nursing students experience a dilemma due to the treatment of
patients. Their opinions and supervisors may be different and hence there arise some
conflicts and disagreements. Alternatively, there are some cases where there may have
a conflict between the patient and the student nurse. The patient may feel disrespected
by the nurse or not well taken care of. In this case, the student feels frustrated or guilty.
In similar situations, the student may lose the benefits of patent treatment due to ethical
reasons.
Now What?
Although at the beginning I appeared worried and coward, the experience has helped
me to have confidence and believe in myself. The incidence has taught me the
importance of acting quickly in emergency cases for patient safety. The staff that looked
after Edson did not observe the earlier assessment done on language and speech
therapy which would help in giving care for Edson. Speech therapy is critically important
for families, health practitioners or organizations as they are able to assess the risks
from different perspectives. From this placement, I have learned the importance of the
recognition of the risk of the patient while considering the patient care plan (Department
of Health, 2016 pp.249). From the scenario, patients like Edson with learning disabilities
need to be handled with great care especially in communication as they are unable to
communicate effectively. One needs to talk politely and slowly using gestures, body
language or photos for the patient to understand (Le Prevost et.al 2018, P 38.). Just like
in the scenario people with the learning disability have poor mobility and hence they
need personal care, symptoms management and making up for their decisions.

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Although they are unable to make decisions for themselves, one has to involve them in
the decision making process.
People with learning disabilities have a mental challenge of cognitive failure. They
have short-term memory loss and they can rarely perform basic tasks such as bathing,
cooking, eating, and dressing. Therefore, the staff caring for Edson should have
considered these factors to perform therapeutic techniques such as casual motor skills
that will help recover the memory loss (Cross, 2018 P.109). Being compassionate and
have good communication skills to the patient helps the patients express themselves
and build a rapport with their caregivers which is also essential for their recovery
process. On the other hand, families with dementia patients should provide optimum
support by understanding the patient's current situation. Family members can help in
self-management strategies such as watching on dietary habits and medical adherence
which will help in quick recovery. Additionally, the family members may do repetitive
tasks with the patient with the aim of helping the patient in memory recovery (DiLeone,
2019, P 809.) Family care for their patient is an assurance of love to the patient and
they feel appreciated in their situation.
Through this experience, I learned the importance of teamwork and corporation in a
health organization. The leader supported every student within the area of weakness
and provided prompt response for any enquiry. Teamwork among health workers is very
crucial as there are different health practitioners within the health organization who
collaborate inpatient recovery process. Good communication with the patient and the
supporting staff has proved positive for the patient's outcome (Cant et al., 2014 P.197).
In the teamwork, one is able to learn and do the practice of what was being learned in
class. I gained a lot of skills on how to safeguard the adults, record keeping and on how
to assess the risks. In case of any observed risks, it should be escalated to the team
and properly documented as it is a requirement by the law. The team should work
cohesively in supporting each other. Any form of exploitation of a team member should
be conveyed for disciplinary actions (Bessos, 2015 P.15). In the risk assessment for
learning disability patients, I learned that one has to identify any hazard that may cause
harm to the patient and how it may occur. The next step is to assess the risk and take

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any possible action to prevent the risk. Then make a record of the findings. The record
entails the risk and the possible measure taken in the prevention of the risk. Reviewing
the risk and planning for strategies to coup with the risk is the final stage (Ostrom,
2019). With my learned skills, I will be able to handle a similar risk in the future.
Aged patients with a learning disability are socially neglected by their family members
due to their caring burden. Like Edson, they are susceptible to various illnesses such
as epilepsy and pneumonia, and most of them succumb to the deadly diseases They
have sight and hearing problems and hence they may fail to get medical attention from
the caregivers as they may not well express themselves. Most of them suffer from
depression due to lower self-esteem due to mistreatment and lack of care. They entirely
depend on others in almost everything (Courses.lumenlearning.com, 2020). Edson
depends on the caregiver to be fed.
Nurses who serve patients with learning disabilities are called to be resilient and
have more understanding of their patient's conditions. Nurses should participate in the
recovery process of the patient through good interaction and communication, physical
therapy psychology therapy. They have a role in patient care and ensuring the patient
gets educated on how to manage the illness (Friedman, 2018 P,234.) In a similar
situation in the future, I will act first by letting the nurse in charge know the situation by
pulling the emergency alarm. Alternatively, I may choose to do a first aid treatment to
the patient and be prepared to give oxygen while still checking oxygen saturation. The
reflection will help me assess what I did in the placement and understand whether the
knowledge gained in the class was put into practice. Furthermore, I will have a chance
to make more improvements in my skills in the alternative field of practice. For my future
expertise, I will research more ways of handling adult patients with learning disabilities
through online sources and published medical journals. Since I would like to be skillful in
the area of my profession, I will further my studies in order to help the disadvantaged
people like Edson.
Conclusion

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Many patients with learning disabilities face a lot of challenges, especially in
communication. The disability has a great impact on how the patient interacts and
relates to the environment. It is equally important to understand their needs and be
aware of their problems and as well have plans and strategies for reducing their
challenges. Health workers should minimize and try to reduce communication difficulties
and give possible adjustments to the problem. On the other hand, family members
should accept their patient and be ready to support. They can as well involve therapists
who will help the patient recover from the illness. By this, the patient feels appreciated in
the community. There should special education programs aimed to empower and also
educate adults learning disabilities so that they can have a better adaptation to their
illness. Civil education is an assurance of better health.

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