There is much concern expressed in nursing and other health care professions about the theory/practice gap. This volume is written for those dealing with the learning disabled in a professional capacity, and is structured to enable practitioners from a variety of backgrounds to apply theoretical concepts with real understanding of the issues involved. Themes, such as consumerism, empowerment, paternalism and informed choice, incorporate many complex concepts and contemporary issues. The authors introduce and explain the relevant concepts and show how they relate to practice through detailed case studies. They also identify the practical implications for care delivery and summarize the key points. The linking of practice to contemporary theories is designed to make "Learning Disabilities" particularly useful on introductory courses, but should also be an effective resource for the trained practitioner.