This page is an introductory guide to learning disabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Join over 87,000 others, and be part of the movement driving change for disabled people. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
Learning disabilities can range from mild to severe. No two people are affected in the same way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some people with learning disabilities go to work, have relationships and live independent lives. Others need daily support in many areas of their life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some, their learning disability is part of their identity, not something they wish to be \u201ccured\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this page: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Someone with a learning disability might take longer to learn new things or understand complex information. They may learn in a different way, or need information presented to them in lots of different ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This could affect someone\u2019s ability to do lots of everyday things, like managing money or socialising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning disabilities usually start in childhood, but some people are not diagnosed until they are adults. Learning disabilities are lifelong conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A learning disability is different for everyone. No two people with a learning disability are the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many people with learning disabilities can live independently. Other people might need more support with day-to-day life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We offer support for disabled people with complex needs all over the UK<\/a>. To find out what kind of support we could give you or your loved one, speak to one of our friendly team.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n A learning disability can be mild, moderate,\u202fsevere or profound. In all cases, a\u202flearning disability affects someone\u2019s whole life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone with a mild learning disability may get on well with others and be able cope with most everyday tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They may, however, need support in more complicated areas of life, such as filling out complex forms or managing finances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone with a moderate learning disability will need more day-to-day support than a person with a mild learning disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This could include help with mobility (going out and about safely) or personal care (washing and dressing). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone with a severe learning disability, or profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), will find it difficult to understand complex information and to communicate with other people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019ll need support with all aspects of life throughout the day. They might also have physical disabilities and\/or a visual impairment<\/a> <\/strong>and\/or <\/strong>hearing impairment<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019ll need more health and social care and support with their mobility (getting around), eating, personal care (washing and dressing) and communicating with others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, many people with a PMLD can still be involved in decisions about themselves, do things they enjoy and live a full life as independently as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people with PMLD might be able to use other ways of communicating, like sign language<\/a>, Makaton<\/a>, pictures and symbols, objects of reference<\/a> or other methods, like body language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about different ways of communicating<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t always know why someone has a learning disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, their brain\u2019s development is affected, before birth, during their birth or in early childhood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be caused by: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the signs of learning disability are recognised early, you can give your child the right support, allowing them to develop the skills they will need for everyday life in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n As an adult, knowing or even thinking about having a learning disability can be difficult, because you (or your loved one) may have lived with it for years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The symptoms of a mild learning disability can be hard to spot because they\u2019re subtle. But, here are some signs to look out for: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Diagnosis is the process by which a healthcare professional \u2013\u202fusually a paediatrician (childcare specialist) \u2013 identifies a learning disability based on a person\u2019s needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many routes to a diagnosis, at different times \u2013\u202fduring pregnancy, at birth, as a child or as an adult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Diagnosis can help you to understand yourself or your child. But it doesn\u2019t tell you everything about who a person is and what they can do. Remember, everyone with a learning disability is different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think you or your child might have signs of a learning disability, the first step is to speak to your GP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about learning disability diagnosis from Mencap.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A learning disability affects someone\u2019s intellect generally across all areas of their life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A learning difficulty does not affect someone\u2019s intellect. Instead, it means that someone finds it more difficult to learn a specific thing, such as reading, writing or maths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No. ADHD is often mistaken for a learning disability, but it is a learning difficulty that does not affect someone\u2019s intellect generally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No. Dyslexia<\/a> is also often mistaken for a learning disability, but it is a learning difficulty that does not affect someone\u2019s intellect generally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Down\u2019s syndrome is not a learning disability itself, but all people with Down\u2019s syndrome will have some level of learning disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every person with Down\u2019s syndrome is unique and will have different strengths and challenges. Find out more about Down\u2019s syndrome from the NHS.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n No, epilepsy is not a learning disability. However, there\u2019s a link between epilepsy and learning disability. Epilepsy affects about one in five people with a learning disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The more severe the learning disability, the higher the possibility that the person will also have epilepsy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No. But some autistic people (around four in ten) do also have a learning disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about autism.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The learning disability register is a list of people with learning disabilities kept by the NHS. It includes people with mild learning disabilities, and children with learning disabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once on the learning disability register, people with a learning disability will get: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think that you or a loved one should be on the register, speak to your GP surgery to check. The staff can add names to the register. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may need to make an appointment for you or your loved one to tell the GP that you or they have a learning disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have questions about learning disabilities, or need support in other ways, you can contact Sense\u2019s Information and advice<\/strong> service<\/strong>.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also find out about the support system in England for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)<\/strong>,<\/a> and the different systems in Wales<\/strong><\/a>, Northern Ireland<\/strong><\/a> and Scotland<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out about benefits, grants and other financial support you might be entitled to, including help with energy, food, travel and leisure costs, please visit our Benefits and money section<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re here for disabled people with complex needs and their families all over the UK. Get in touch to find out more about the services we offer.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n Mild learning disabilities <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moderate learning disabilities <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the causes of learning disabilities?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What are the signs of a learning disability?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Signs in children <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Signs in adults <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Diagnosing learning disabilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the difference between learning disabilities and learning difficulties?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a learning disability? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is dyslexia a learning disability? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is Down\u2019s syndrome a learning disability? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is epilepsy a learning disability? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is autism a learning disability? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is the learning disability register?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to sign up to the learning disability register<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Getting support<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Support from Sense<\/h2>\n\n\n\n