Young People and Learning Disabilities
A learning disability is a lifelong reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities. There are different types of learning disability and they are different for everyone who has one. Although those of us who have a learning disability may need extra support or time to learn new things, with the right support in place, most people can live an independent life. Click here to find out more about learning disabilities, including information on diagnosis.
Learning disabilities are often confused with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD. However a learning difficulty does not affect intellect and is therefor different from a learning disability. For children and young people, learning difficulties may cause issues in a traditional classroom setting, however support is available. Click here to find out more about learning difficulties.
Mencap
Mencap is the leading voice of learning disability. Everything they do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers. Click here to visit Mencap’s website where you can access a wealth of information and advice on life with a learning disability.
Mencap also provide a telephone support line for those who have been diagnosed with a learning disabilities and their family members/carers, click here to find out more.
There is also an online community where you can access online peer support from other people in a similar situation to you, click here for more information.
Learning Disability Matters
Children and young people with learning disability often have different needs. The Learning Disability Matters for Families website provides straightforward, realistic information.. Their website provides information to help you understand; what a learning disability is and what it isn’t, positive examples and practical information of where to go for further help, health conditions to look out for and advice about what to do, rights about reasonable adjustments to services and much more, click here to visit their website now.
Getting help from Learning Disability Services
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear have created an easy read leaflet to help you understand how to access learning disability services in your local area.
In the booklet, you can also find out about the Transition Team, which supports young people aged 14 to 19 years old as they move from children’s to adult services.
For more information follow the links below:
Contact
Contact For Families with Disabled Children, offer information, advice and guidance for families of disabled children, whatever the disability, and the professionals who support them, click here to visit their website for more information.
They also have a helpline available to answer any questions you may have, signpost to local support and provide advice, click here to find out more about their helpline.
Contact’s online community also provides a safe space for parents, carers and families to support each other, click here to find out more.
Learning Disabilities resources
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