It is not
easy to understand learning difficulties, when you have a learning disability,
mental illness, other problems making yourself and others the same and similar
me to be heard as well as seen. i am writing this book to show how my
disability affects my day-to-day life and what help & support we want and
need. sararevealed.blogspot.com sarajgorman@gmail.com, which is one of the
reasons why I am writing this book based on my blog by Sara Jane Gorman https://saraslearningdisabilityandmental.blogspot.com/
It’s not
easy to understand learning difficulties, especially when you have a learning
disability, mental illness, or other challenges yourself. it can be hard to
make yourself heard and seen, especially when others may not fully understand
what you’re going through.
I’m
authoring this book to share how my disability affects my day-to-day life, and
to express the kind of help and support that people like me want and need.
Sara
revealed that this is one of the reasons I created my blog, and now I’m turning
that blog into this book.
you can visit
the blog at: sararevealed.blogspot.com
https://saraslearningdisabilityandmental.blogspot.com/
By Sara Jane
Gorman
about the author and this book.
part 1: the introduction imperative of special
needs and mental health awareness
chapter 1: introduction and why disability and
mental health awareness matters.
a.
purpose of the book
b.
key points
II.chapter 2: what are special needs and learning
disabilities?
a.
definitions and overview
b.
key points
IV.part 2: understanding learning disabilities and
developmental conditions
V.chapter 3: what is spina bifida?
VI.chapter 4: what is Williams syndrome?
VII.chapter 5: what is syngap1 disorder?
VIII.chapter 6: what is global developmental delay?
IX.chapter 7: what is challenging behavior?
X.chapter 8: what is cerebral palsy?
XI.chapter 9: what is Angelman syndrome?
XII.chapter 10: what is DiGeorge syndrome?
XIV.part 3: specific learning difficulties (splds)
XV.chapter 11: what is dyslexia?
XVI.chapter 12: what is dyspraxia?
XVII.chapter 13: what is dysgraphia?
XVIII.chapter 14: what is dyscalculia?
XIX.chapter 15: autism and adhd – similarities and
differences
XXI.part 4: mental health and emotional wellbeing
XXII.chapter 16: what is mental health and mental
illness?
XXIII.chapter 17: understanding emotions – anger,
anxiety, and more
XXIV.chapter 18: depression – signs, impact, and
support
XXV.chapter 19: borderline personality disorder
XXVI.chapter 20: schizophrenia and schizoaffective
disorder
XXVII.chapter 21: suicide awareness and prevention
XXIX.part 5: support strategies
XXX.chapter 22: mentoring and coaching for
neurodiverse individuals
XXXI.chapter 23: counseling and therapy approaches
XXXII.chapter 24: tools for parents, teachers, and
employers
XXXIV.appendices and resources
·
glossary of key terms
·
useful contacts and helplines (uk & usa)
·
further reading and references
Author's Background
Option 2 (Slightly
more emphasis on personal connection):
.
Option 2 (Slightly more emphasis on personal connection):
Meet Sara
Gorman, a dedicated advocate, writer, and public speaker from Wolverhampton,
UK, who is a passionate advocate, writer, and public speaker with firsthand
experience of living with a learning disability. dedicated to raising
awareness, supporting others, and challenging barriers faced by individuals
with disabilities and mental health conditions, sara's advocacy journey spans
community projects like Access All Areas Now! and collaborations with
organizations such as Mencap, Employment Pathways (now Senator), and One Voice
Wolverhampton. whose personal experience of living with a learning disability
fuels her passion for change. For Sara, raising awareness, offering support,
and dismantling barriers for people with disabilities and mental health
conditions isn't just work – it's a deeply personal mission
, whose
personal experience of living with a learning disability fuels her passion for
change. For Sara, raising awareness, offering support, and dismantling barriers
for people with disabilities and mental health conditions isn't just work –
it's a deeply personal mission.
her journey
has taken her through impactful community initiatives like Access All Areas
Now! and collaborations with vital organizations such as Mencap, employment
pathways (now senator), and One Voice Wolverhampton. through these roles, she
has championed accessibility, empowerment, and genuine inclusion.
Equipped
with qualifications in it, advocacy, mentoring, and functional skills in
English, Sara also finds powerful expression through writing and playwriting.
Her website, Sara revealed, gives a window into her reflections and unwavering
advocacy. As a visiting lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, Sara
bridges the gap between lived experience and professional understanding for
future health and social care professionals.
sara's
commitment to clear communication, her relentless drive for a more equitable
world, and the profound insights gained from her own life make her a compelling
and influential voice. her work resonates with and inspires individuals across
diverse backgrounds.
it's often a
lonely experience when navigating the complexities of learning difficulties,
especially when compounded by mental health challenges or other unique needs.
feeling truly heard and seen can be an uphill battle when others struggle to
understand the nuances of your reality.
this book is
my way of breaking through those barriers – to share the intimate details of
how my disability impacts my everyday life and to clearly articulate the
specific forms of help and support that are meaningful and necessary for people
like me. this very need for connection and understanding sparked the creation
of my blog, sara revealed, which now finds a new and expanded home within these
pages.
explore my
blog at: sararevealed.blogspot.com https://saraslearningdisabilityandmental.blogspot.com/
driven by her passion for
communication and creating change, and informed by her lived experience, sara
is a powerful voice for equality and representation, inspiring people from all
walks of life through her ongoing work.
understanding learning difficulties
can be challenging, especially when you navigate learning disabilities, mental
illness, or other complexities. making yourself heard and seen is often
difficult when others don't fully grasp your experiences.
this book is born from my desire to
share how my disability shapes my daily life and to articulate the specific
help and support that individuals like me need and want. this very intention
led to the creation of my blog, sara revealed, which now evolves into the pages
you hold.
visit my blog at:
sararevealed.blogspot.com https://saraslearningdisabilityandmental.blogspot.com/
📧 contact: sarajgorman@gmail.com
1.1 Why This Book
Matters
example: “Sara is here
to empower those involved in mental health and disability awareness. I’m here
to speak to those who already care, or who want to understand better—from the
people living with these conditions, to the families and carers supporting
them.” Introduction: Why this book exists
This book is for
people who care.
whether you're
someone living with a learning disability or mental health condition, a parent
or carer, a friend or family member, a support worker or a professional, this
book is for you. it’s not here to convince people to care. it's here to speak
directly to those who already do—or those who want to learn more, do better,
and truly understand.
I’m writing this
because I’ve lived it.
I’ve faced the world with an undiagnosed learning disability, navigated the
education system, and pushed through the confusion, the silence, and the
frustration. over the years, I’ve also worked hard to turn that experience into
something useful—not just for myself, but for others. I’ve co-led projects with
Royal Wolverhampton Mencap, shared my story through plays, blogs, and lectures,
and worked as a learning disability and mental health awareness trainer and
visiting lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton.
my hope is that this
book will empower and mentor others like people with learning disabilities,
mental health challenges, or other conditions, who want to raise awareness,
speak up, and make things better for the next person. this is also for the
parents and carers trying to understand, and for the professionals who want to
listen but maybe don’t always know where to start.
there’s no single
answer, no perfect path—but there is power in sharing stories, lived
experience, and practical knowledge. that’s what this book aims to offer. real
voices, real challenges, real tools. and a whole lot more.
This book is
written for anyone involved in learning disabilities and mental health—whether
you are living with these conditions yourself, supporting someone who is, or
working or studying in this field. My aim is to offer guidance, understanding,
and practical tools based on both personal experience and professional
knowledge.
The book is also designed as a learning resource. I will be
introducing a course within this book to support those studying or working at
any level—whether you're in school, college, university, employment, or
training. It’s meant for students, teachers, carers, healthcare staff, social
workers, managers, and professionals across sectors including education,
health, business, and social services and more.
In addition, I hope this book will encourage governments
and institutions to invest in training systems. My vision is for more people
with lived experience, like myself, to be empowered to teach and train others.
By doing so, we can help create a future where everyone involved in this field
is better equipped, more compassionate, and able to make a real difference.
Her
journey has taken her through impactful community initiatives like Access All
Areas Now! and collaborations with vital organizations such as Mencap,
Employment Pathways (now Senator), and One Voice Wolverhampton. Through these
roles, she has championed accessibility, empowerment, and genuine inclusion.
Equipped
with qualifications in IT, Advocacy, Mentoring, and Functional Skills in
English, Sara also finds powerful expression through writing and playwriting.
Her website, Sara Revealed, gives a window into her reflections and unwavering
advocacy. As a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, Sara
bridges the gap between lived experience and professional understanding for
future health and social care professionals.
Sara's
commitment to clear communication, her relentless drive for a more equitable
world, and the profound insights gained from her own life make her a compelling
and influential voice. Her work resonates with and inspires individuals across
diverse backgrounds.
It's
often a lonely experience when navigating the complexities of learning
difficulties, especially when compounded by mental health challenges or other
unique needs. Feeling truly heard and seen can be an uphill battle when others
struggle to understand the nuances of your reality.
This
book is my way of breaking through those barriers – to share the intimate
details of how my disability impacts my everyday life and to clearly articulate
the specific forms of help and support that are meaningful and necessary for
people like me. This very need for connection and understanding sparked the
creation of my blog, Sara Revealed, which now finds a new and expanded home
within these pages.
Explore my blog at: sararevealed.blogspot.com https://saraslearningdisabilityandmental.blogspot.com/
Sara Gorman is a passionate advocate, writer, and public
speaker based in Wolverhampton. Living with a learning disability herself, sara
has dedicated her life to raising awareness, supporting others, and challenging
the barriers faced by people with disabilities and mental health conditions.
sara’s journey began with community projects like Access
All Areas Now!, and her advocacy work grew through her involvement with
organizations such as Mencap, employment pathways (now Senator), and One Voice
Wolverhampton. she has led and supported numerous initiatives focused on
accessibility, empowerment, and inclusion.
with qualifications in it, advocacy, mentoring, and
functional skills in English, sara is also a creative writer and playwright.
her website, sara revealed, showcases her personal reflections and advocacy
work. as a visiting lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, sara has
spoken to students and professionals in health and social care about the
realities of living with learning disabilities.
sara’s passion for communication, her drive to create
change, and her lived experience make her a powerful voice for equality and
representation. her work continues to inspire people from all walks of life.
The ability to
comprehend the complexities surrounding learning difficulties and mental health
challenges is of paramount importance in fostering a more inclusive and
supportive society. The prevalence of these conditions is significant,
affecting individuals across all demographics and life stages. Learning
disabilities, brain-based disorders impacting specific cognitive processes, and
mental health conditions, which involve alterations in emotion, thinking, or
behavior, can profoundly affect an individual's daily experiences, overall
well-being, and capacity to reach their full potential. Furthermore, the
societal costs associated with neglecting these issues are substantial,
encompassing economic burdens, strain on healthcare systems, and diminished quality
of life for affected individuals and their families.
This report acknowledges
the timely and crucial initiative undertaken by Sara Jane Gorman to shed light
on the lived realities of those navigating special needs and mental health
challenges. Drawing from her personal experiences and insights gained through
her blog, her forthcoming book aims to provide a voice to individuals who often
feel unheard and unseen [User Query]. The value of such personal perspectives
cannot be overstated. By sharing her journey, Sara Jane Gorman has the
potential to foster a deeper sense of empathy and understanding among readers,
bridging the gap between academic knowledge and the often-unseen daily
struggles faced by those with these conditions. This narrative approach can be
a powerful catalyst for destigmatization, encouraging open conversations and a
greater willingness to provide necessary support. The book promises to be a
vital resource for individuals with lived experience, their families,
educators, mental health professionals, policymakers, and the general public
seeking a more profound understanding of these critical aspects of human
experience.
Despite my efforts, I haven't
been able to find specific information about Sara Jane Gorman's blog and the
book mentioned. the search results point to other individuals with similar
names, but none seem to be directly related to the topic of special needs and
mental health as described in the initial query.
Shifting focus to core topics
Given the difficulty in
finding information about the author, I've decided to concentrate on
researching the key themes presented in the book's contents page. this includes
understanding the definitions, characteristics, and support systems for a range
of special needs and mental health conditions.
Next research steps
my immediate next step is to
begin researching the fundamental concepts of learning disabilities and special
needs. i will then move on to explore specific learning disabilities like
dyslexia and dyspraxia, as well as delve into autism spectrum disorder and
various mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
concepts of learning
disabilities and special needs, as outlined in chapter two.
defining key terms
my next step involves
researching definitions and characteristics of learning disabilities and
special needs from reliable sources. i will also look into the support systems
that are typically available for individuals with these conditions to build a
foundational understanding of these topics.
author's perspective
i'm starting to understand the
author's background by looking into sara jane gorman and her blog. this will
help me grasp the personal experiences that might shape her book on special
needs and mental health.
understanding core concepts
i'll now delve into defining
learning disabilities and special needs more broadly. this foundational
knowledge is crucial before i explore specific conditions mentioned in the
book's contents.
next steps
my next step is to research
the specific learning disabilities listed in the table provided by the user,
such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. i'll focus on understanding their
characteristics and how they impact individuals.
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