Learning Disability Nurses from across NHS Highland and The Highland Council got together for their Forum Event in Invergordon last month.
The event, which is held quarterly, was an opportunity for those in attendance to hear from Amelia Williamson, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Learning Disabilities team.
Amelia was asked to attend to share the findings from the recent CAMHS Learning Disability stakeholder consultations with families, which included an arts-based project involving children with complex learning disabilities.
She also facilitated a wellbeing activity where the group were encouraged to take part in a two-handed bilateral drawing exercise where the participants were invited to draw things like butterflies and rainbows in a way that felt natural to them. These activities can be meditative and helps us to focus on our senses and motor planning, instead of thinking too much.
Feedback from this exercise showed that the nurses experienced a wide array of feelings through the art process. The group then explored possible parallel experiences for children with learning disabilities who may express something without words, somewhat like the drawings they had done, and what it was like to have others see and interpret that expression.
Amelia said: “This outreach work from CAMHS was part of a commitment following the stakeholder consultation to ensure that the service is accessible, visible and well-understood.
“I was also able to share that the Learning Disability Team continues to meet the Scottish Government's 18 week referral to treatment/intervention goal, and offers both individual work with the young people, as well as consultation and support for the adults around them, including families and school staff.
“It is the first time I have attended the forum and it was an interesting event. Everyone involved showed great enthusiasm when asked to take part in the art activities. I was also delighted to share how helpful arts-based work has been for us as part of our stakeholder consultation with children with complex learning disabilities.”
If you need advice or support from CAMHS for a young person with a learning disability, please talk to your child’s lead professional or key worker in education, health, or social care.