The University of Sydney

Centre for Disability Studies

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+61-2-9036-3604

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Dr Vivienne Riches is a registered psychologist and a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Disability Studies. She holds conjoint appointments as Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney and Clinical Psychologist, Royal Rehabilitation Centre, Sydney. Vivienne has worked as a teacher, a clinical psychologist in rehabilitation, psychologist in private practice, consultant, lecturer and researcher in the disability field for a number of years. Research and development projects have focused on vocational preparation and employment for people with a disability, assessment and classification, support needs assessment, social and interpersonal competence, transition from school to post school for students with disabilities, staff training and Active Support, behavioural support and mental emotional health issues. She has served on several boards for community and employment organisations, has been a member of various professional and government committees, and supervised over 20 intern psychologists. Vivienne’s expertise is well established in assessment, evaluation and intervention including work with forensic populations. Clinical services frequently addressed problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, anger, grief and loss, relationships, abuse, social interpersonal skills, low self esteem, and eating disorders. Vivienne has published more than 100 articles, as well as books, book chapters, research and evaluation reports, and curriculum materials in the disability area, addressing social and interpersonal skills, emotional adjustment, vocational training, employment and transition for people with intellectual disabilities. Her books include Standards of Work Performance (1993), Everyday social interaction: A program for people with disabilities (1996) and Angerwise (2006).

Publications and Presentations - VC Riches et al 2006-2010

Publications (peer reviewed)

Parmenter, T. R., Harman, A., Yazbeck, M., & Riches, V.C (2006). Life skills training for adolescents with intellectual disabilities. In P. N. Walsh, A. Carr, G. O’Reilly & J. McEvoy (Eds.), Handbook of intellectual disability and clinical psychology practice. London: Routledge, pp 687-728.

Riches, V. C., Parmenter, T. R., Wiese, M. Y., & Stancliffe, R. J. (2006). Intellectual Disability and Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 29(5), 386-396.

Riches, V. C. (2008). Unrecognised and Unsupported: Grief Among People with Intellectual Disability. Grief Matters, 11(2), 48-53.

Riches, V. C., Parmenter, T. R. Llewellyn, G., Hindmarsh, G., & Chan, J. (2009a). I-CAN: A new instrument to classify support needs for people with disability: Part I. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 22, 326-339.

Riches, V. C., Parmenter, T. R. Llewellyn, G., Hindmarsh, G., & Chan, J. (2009b). The reliability, validity and practical utility of measuring supports using the I-CAN instrument: Part II. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 22, 340-353.

Arnold, S. R. C., Riches, V. C., Parmenter, T. R., & Stancliffe, R. J. (2009). The I-CAN: Using e-Health to get People the support they need. Electronic Journal of Health Informatics (eJHI), 4(1), e4.

Arnold, S. R. C. & Riches, V. C. (2009). Supports, Empowerment and Self-Direction: The Emerging Paradigm in the Disability Sector. InPsych, 31(6), 16-17.

Riches, V. C. (2009). Supporting staff who support clients with intellectual disability. In Prasher (Ed.), Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Disability. Nova Science Press.

Technical Reports (published at CDS)

McVilly, K., Riches, V. C., Wiese, M. Y., and Pye, N. (2006) DSQ Innovative Support and Housing Pilots - Baseline Report January 2006. Sydney: Sydney: Centre for Developmental Disability Studies, and The University of Sydney.

Riches, V. C. & Stancliffe, R. (2006). Evaluation of the Functions Provided By Piloting Of Support Officer (004) Positions - Disability Services Queensland 2005-2006: Progress Report, July 2006: Sydney: Centre for Developmental Disability Studies, and The University of Sydney.

Riches, V. C., Yazbeck, M. L., & Tierney, K. (2006). Evaluation Report of the Life Without Barriers (LWB) Host Care Program, 2005-2006. Sydney: Centre for Developmental Disability Studies, and The University of Sydney.

Riches, V. C. & Stancliffe, R.S. (2006). Evaluation of the Functions Provided by Piloting of support Officer (004) Positions Disability Services Queensland 2005-2006 Final Report. Sydney: Centre for Developmental Disability Studies, and The University of Sydney.

Riches, V. C., Wiese, M. Y. & Pye, N. (2007). Evaluation of the Innovative Support & Housing Pilots for Disability Services Queensland. Progress Report. Sydney: Centre for Developmental Disability Studies, and The University of Sydney.

Riches, V. C., Wiese, M. Y. & Pye, N. (2008). Evaluation of the Innovative Support & Housing Pilots for Disability Services Queensland Final Report. Sydney: Centre for Disability Studies, and The University of Sydney.

Riches, V. C. Harman, A., Arnold, S. R. C., Stancliffe, R., Keen, D. & Pennell, D. (2008). Active Support Train-the-Trainer Project Evaluation Final Report Prepared for Disability Services Queensland Accommodation Support and Respite Services Directorate (AS&RS). Centre for Disability Studies, Sydney.

Riches, V. C. (2009). ACE Support Need Research Project Report Final Report. Centre for Disability Studies in Collaboration with ACE National Network Inc., CDS: Sydney.

Conference Presentations and addresses
2006

Riches, V. C. (2006). I-CAN: An Instrument to assess and classify supports for people with disability. Improving Information on Disability and Functioning. Australian Institute on Health and Welfare (AIHW) Forum for People who need, use or develop information. Sydney, 6-7 February, 2006.

Riches, V. C. (2006). Self Harm & Eating Disorders. Back to Life Salvation Army Recovery Ministries Conference, Sydney, 20th April 2006.

2007

Arnold, S. R. C. & Riches, V. C. (2007). The I-CAN: the right support empowers people. In Tune 42nd Australasian ASSID Conference Program & Abstracts, Freemantle, WA. 5-7 November, p. 41. also published in Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, Sept 2008, 33(3), 278.

Riches, V. C. (2007). International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): What it is and why use it? Presentation to Managers of the Office of the Senior Practitioner, Disability Services, Department of Human Services Victoria. Melbourne, May 25th 2007.

Riches, V. C. (2007). Supporting staff who support clients. In Tune 42nd Australasian ASSID Conference Program & Abstracts, Fremantle, WA. 5-7 November, p. 27.

2008

Arnold, S. R. C., Stancliffe, R. J. & Riches, V. C. (2008). The I-CAN: Assessing the support people need. IASSID 13th World Congress Abstracts, Cape Town South Africa, 25-30 August. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52 (8-9), 672.

Arnold, S. R. C., Riches, V. C., Parmenter, T. R. & Stancliffe, R. J. (2008). The I-CAN: Using E-Health to get People the Support they Need. Presented at the Health Informatics Society of Australia (HISA) Health Informatics Conference: Person in the Centre, Melbourne, 2nd November 2008. Winner of best peer-reviewed scientific paper.

Arnold, S. R. C., Riches, V. C., Parmenter, T. R. & Stancliffe, R. J. (2008). The measurement of adaptive behaviour and support needs: An update on the diagnosis of Intellectual Disability and the I-CAN. PSYCHDD 17th Annual Conference, Parramatta, Sydney, November 28th.

Durvasula, S., & Riches, V. C. (2008). Developmental Disability and Mental Health: Issues In Assessment and Management. Professional Development presented to Manly Warringah Division of General Practice 7th October, Narrabeen NSW.

Riches, V. C., Wiese, M. Y. & Pye, N. (2008) Evaluation of a transition model for people with intellectual disability and complex behaviour: What works and what doesn’t. IASSID 13th World Congress Abstracts, Cape Town South Africa, 25-30 August. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52 (8-9), 666.

Riches, V. C. (2008). Supporting staff who support clients with intellectual disability. IASSID 13th World Congress Abstracts, Cape Town South Africa, 25-30 August. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52 (8-9), 672.

Riches, V. C., Harman, T., Keen, D., Pennell, D., Harley, J. H., & Walker, M. (2008). Active Support in the sunshine state. 43rd ASSID Conference Program. Principles, Policies & Practices: The Search for Evidence. Melbourne University, Vic. 26th November, p13.

2009

Arnold, S. R. C., Riches, V. C., Parmenter, T. R. & Stancliffe, R. J. (2009). The I-CAN: Support needed for inclusion and empowerment. 2nd IASSID Asia Pacific Regional Congress. Furama Hotel, Singapore. 24th-27th June. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 6 (2), 93.

Riches, V. C., Harman, T., Keen, D., Pennell, D., Harley, J. H., & Walker, M. (2009). Implementing Active Support in Queensland Australia. 2nd IASSID Asia-Pacific Regional Congress, Furama Hotel, Singapore, 24-27 June 2009. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 6 (2), 144.

Riches, V. C. (2009). Who Supports the Support Staff? Keynote Address, ASSID NSW Annual General Meeting, October 29th, 2009.

Riches, V. C. (2009). Psychological interventions and people who have an intellectual disability. 44th Australasian ASSID Conference, Power and Passion: Progress through Partnerships, Hobart, Tas,. 6th November.