Researchers at the University of Warwick and Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust are looking for children and adolescents with moderate to severe learning disabilities and their parents to take part in a research study on specific phobias.
A specific phobia is an extreme fear of a specific object, animal or situation which is so overwhelming that it interferes with everyday life. For instance, somebody with a needle phobia might be too frightened to have a routine blood test or vaccination and become extremely anxious or distressed in the presence (or sometimes even mention) of a needle.
Parents that take part in the study will be offered a psychological treatment to manage their child’s phobia. The treatment will teach parents skills and strategies to manage their child’s fears and phobias. This treatment has been developed by the researchers together with carers of people with moderate to severe learning disabilities, and in collaboration with the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. Researchers want to test out the treatment to work out whether they should carry out a larger study.
The treatment study for children and adolescents aged 5- 15 years old will start in February/March.
The project is funded by the National Institute for Health Research and has been given favourable ethical opinion by West Midlands – Edgbaston NHS Research Ethics Committee.
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