Welcome from the Author
Hello and thank you for reading! 👋
Understanding learning difficulties,
disabilities, and mental health can be hard.
This book is about visibility, honesty,
and valuing lived experience.
Follow Sara’s journey online:
📧
sarajgorman@gmail.com
Personal Quote:
“We all have a voice. Sometimes we just
need the right support to help us use it—and the right people to hear it.”
— Sara Jane Gorman
Optional Photo Caption:
Sara Jane Gorman – advocate, writer, and speaker, sharing lived experience to
raise awareness and inspire change.
Why This Book?
Written to inform, support, and empower
readers.
Offers honest and accessible insight
into:
Learning disabilities 📘
Autism 🧩
Mental health 💛
Special educational needs 🏫
Designed for:
People with lived experience 👤
Families and carers 🤝
Educators and professionals 📘
Focuses on centering lived experience
while providing practical guidance.
My Story & Advocacy Journey
Worked for One Voice Advocacy Service
(2012–2015) 🏢
Learning Disability & Mental Health
Awareness Trainer for Success Group
Visiting Lecturer at University of
Wolverhampton (2012–2024) 🎓
Delivered training to:
Healthcare students 🏥
Nursing students 👩⚕️
Healthcare professionals at New Cross
Hospital ⚕️
Co-ran Access All Areas Now!, improving
employment support for people with learning disabilities
Passion: Keep learning disability on
the agenda ✨
Creative Work & Community
Leadership
Writer and co-producer of a play (2008)
highlighting employment challenges
Completed script and screen course to
develop writing further 🎬
Supported self-advocacy through Our
Shout group
Helped Mencap set up a Disabled
Writers’ Group ✍️
Managed Facebook groups for:
Disabled advocacy
Learning disability & mental health
awareness
Disability hate crime awareness
Readers & writers group 📚
Purpose of This Book / Blog
Helps people understand:
Learning disabilities
Neurodivergence
Mental health 🌈
Related conditions
Modular, accessible, and flexible: read
the parts you need
Intended for:
Students & trainees 🎓
Staff & professionals 👩⚕️
Managers & team leaders 👔
Parents, families & carers 🤝
People with lived experience 👤
Optional quizzes & reflective tasks
General Accessibility Principles
Easy to read & navigate:
Clear headings
Short paragraphs
Summary boxes
Visual aids 🖼️
Multiple formats:
PDF, PowerPoint, audio, Easy Read with
symbols, captioned videos
Inclusive language:
Person-first or identity-first
depending on community
Explains jargon clearly
Sensory & cognitive accessibility:
Dyslexia-friendly fonts (Open Dyslexic)
High color contrast, minimal clutter
Modular Structure Overview
Chapter = Module: standalone but fits
into the wider book
Module 1: Foundations of Understanding
Easy Read summary
Glossary & quotes
Topics:
Disabilities & mental health
conditions
Myths vs facts (quiz/flashcards)
History of disability rights
Inclusion & intersectionality
Module 2: Understanding Individual
Conditions
Simple overview page + in-depth page
for professionals
Real-life stories
Conditions:
Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia,
Dyscalculia
Autism & ADHD
Mental health: Anxiety, Depression,
OCD, PTSD
Co-occurring conditions &
misdiagnosis
Module 3: Supporting in Practice
(Educator Focus)
Practical strategies & downloadable
tools
Scenario-based activities
Sections: inclusive environment,
curriculum adaptations, behavior understanding, family collaboration, self-care
Module 4: Assessment & Intervention
Step-by-step visual guides (IEP/504)
Sample meeting scripts
Printable referral flowcharts
Sections: school vs clinical
assessment, understanding reports, interventions, medication guide, legal
rights (UK & US)
Final Thoughts
Special Needs & Mental Health
Awareness is a message of:
Hope 🌟
Education 📘
Empowerment 💪
Makes invisible struggles visible
Promotes understanding, compassion
& inclusion
Written for: students, parents,
educators, professionals, and anyone with lived experience 👤
This format is ready for Easy Read
magazine layout, with:
Headings & subheadings
Bulleted points
Symbols/icons for visual support
Optional sections for quotes or images
Welcome from the Author
Hello and thank you for reading.
Understanding learning differences can
be hard, especially if you live with them.
This book is about visibility, honesty,
and valuing lived experience.
Follow Sara’s journey online:
📧
sarajgorman@gmail.com
Optional Quote:
“We all have a voice. Sometimes we just
need the right support to help us use it—and the right people to hear it.”
— Sara Jane Gorman
Optional Photo Caption:
Sara Jane Gorman – advocate, writer, and speaker, sharing lived experience to
raise awareness and inspire change.
Why This Book?
Inform, support, and empower readers.
Honest insight into:
Learning disabilities
Autism
Mental health
Special educational needs
Designed for:
People with lived experience 👤
Families and carers 🤝
Educators and professionals 📘
Focuses on centering lived experience
while providing practical guidance.
A Personal and Educational Approach
Rooted in lived experience.
Sara shares her journey through:
Blogging 🌐
Poetry ✍️
Having a Learning
Disability
This world can feel
confusing and unexplained.
I used to think very
negatively.
Now I am learning to think more positively.
Many people look at
people with learning disabilities in a strange way.
If you look disabled, some people discriminate against you more.
If you don’t look disabled, people don’t understand why you struggle.
They may not realise
that you have communication needs.
But they also have communication needs if they don’t understand you.
Lack of communication
can make friendships and relationships hard to start — and even harder to keep.
There needs to be more
education.
People with learning disabilities should not have to explain everything alone.
Mainstream society needs to understand us — including me, including all of us.
A learning disability
could have happened to anyone.
We are human too.
Are you?
Advocacy 💬
Not just about conditions—it’s about
people, their lives, struggles, strengths, and humanity.
Builds an empathetic connection to
highlight the importance of support, understanding, and dignity.
About the Author
Sara Jane Gorman – disability advocate
and trainer.
Lives with autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia,
epilepsy, anxiety, and depression.
Experience includes:
Mencap & One Voice Wolverhampton 🏢
Public speaking 🎤
Training & volunteering 🤝
Creative projects 🎨
Runs Sara’s Learning Disability &
Mental Health Awareness Blog 🌐
SARA'S LEARNING DISABILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH
AWARENESS BLOG
Book Focus & Purpose
Explores:
Learning disabilities
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Mental health conditions
Special educational needs
Offers clear definitions of:
Learning difficulty, disability, SEN,
mental illness
Covers real-life challenges:
Emotional & mental health struggles
💛
Barriers in education & employment 🏫💼
Access to services 🏥
Stigma & exclusion 🚫
Explores support systems: healthcare,
education, community services, advocacy.
Understanding Learning Disabilities
Common learning disabilities:
Dyslexia: Reading, spelling, phonics,
language processing 📖
Dyspraxia: Coordination, planning,
organization, motor skills 🤲
Dysgraphia: Writing, spelling,
handwriting ✏️
Dyscalculia: Numbers, calculations,
math understanding 🔢
Key Points:
Many individuals have overlapping
conditions ➕
Support should be personalized and
flexible
No two people learn the same way ✔️
Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)
Neurodevelopmental
condition, unique to each person 🧩
Differences in:
Communication 💬
Sensory processing 🔊💡
Social interaction 👥
Behavior 🧠
Support: speech
therapy, occupational therapy, structured education 🏫
Key: understanding,
accepting, and respecting diversity
Mental Health &
Emotional Wellbeing
Mental health: coping
with stress, relationships, daily life 💛
Mental illness:
diagnosable conditions needing professional support 🏥
Conditions discussed:
Anxiety 😰
Depression 💔
Anger & emotional
regulation 😡
BPD 💔
Schizoaffective
disorder 👀
Schizophrenia 🧠
Holistic support is
key – many people have co-existing conditions.
Support Strategies:
Mentoring, Counselling, Suicide Awareness
Strong support systems
save lives:
Mentoring 🤝
Peer support 👥
Counselling 💬
Advocacy &
community groups 🌐
Suicide awareness
& prevention is vital
Practical strategies
& real-life solutions are shared throughout the book
Final Thoughts
This book is more than
a guide: it’s a message of hope, education, and empowerment 🌟
Makes invisible
struggles visible and promotes understanding, compassion, and inclusion
Written for:
Students
Parents
Educators
Professionals
Anyone with lived
experience 👤
This format can now
easily be converted into a visual Easy Read magazine layout with:
Headings for each
section
Bullets for clarity
Symbols/icons for
memory
Optional sidebars for
quotes, photos, or tips
Why This Book?
Written to inform,
support, and empower readers.
Offers honest and
accessible insight into:
Learning disabilities
Mental health
Autism
Special educational
needs
Designed for:
People with lived
experience
Families and carers
Professionals
Anyone wanting to
understand without complex language or judgment
Focuses on centering
lived experience while providing practical information.
About the Author and
This Book
Sara Jane Gorman
Disability advocate,
mental health champion, and inclusion advocate.
Personal experience
with learning difficulties and mental health challenges.
Worked with
organizations like Mencap and One Voice Wolverhampton:
Public speaking
Training
Volunteering
Creative projects
Runs a blog sharing
honest reflections on:
Daily life
Advocacy
Disability rights
Emotional wellbeing
Creative expression
This book extends her
blog into a structured, accessible, educational resource.
Book Focus
Explores a wide range
of topics related to:
Learning disabilities
Mental health
Autism
Special educational
needs
Offers clear
definitions of key terms, including:
Learning difficulty
Learning disability
Special educational
needs
Mental illness
Discusses real-life
challenges:
Emotional and mental
health struggles
Barriers in education
and employment
Access to support and
services
Impact of stigma,
misunderstanding, and exclusion
Examines support
systems like healthcare, education, and community services:
Reflects honestly on
successes and shortcomings
A Personal and
Educational Approach
Rooted in lived
experience.
Sara shares her
journey through:
Blogging
Poetry
Advocacy
Focus is not just on
conditions, but on people:
Lives
Struggles
Strengths
Humanity
Goal: Build an
empathetic connection and show that support, understanding, and dignity matter.
Understanding Learning
Disabilities and Special Needs
Understanding
complexities of special needs and mental health is essential for society.
Sara has written since
2007 on her blog, originally Sara Revealed, now Sara’s Learning Disability and
Mental Health Awareness Blog.
Focus on raising
awareness, highlighting both difficulties and strengths.
Common Learning
Disabilities in This Book:
Dyslexia: Reading,
phonics, spelling, language processing difficulties
Dyspraxia:
Coordination, planning, organization, motor skills challenges
Dysgraphia: Writing,
spelling, handwriting, organizing ideas
Dyscalculia: Numbers,
calculations, mathematical understanding
Many individuals may
have co-occurring learning disabilities, requiring personalized and flexible
support.
Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)
Neurodevelopmental
condition, unique to each individual.
Differences in:
Communication
Sensory processing
Social interaction
Behaviors
Sensory challenges:
noise, lights, textures, crowded spaces
Support: speech
therapy, occupational therapy, educational adjustments, structured support
Key: understanding,
accepting, and respecting diversity
Mental Health and
Emotional Wellbeing
Mental health:
Emotional and psychological wellbeing, coping with stress, relationships, daily
life
Mental illness:
Diagnosable conditions requiring professional support or treatment
Conditions discussed:
Anxiety
Depression
Anger and emotional
regulation difficulties
Borderline Personality
Disorder (BPD)
Schizoaffective
disorder
Schizophrenia
Holistic support is
essential, as learning disabilities and mental health conditions often
co-exist.
Support Strategies:
Mentoring, Counselling, and Suicide Awareness
Strong support systems
change lives:
Mentoring, peer
support, counselling
Advocacy services,
community groups
Suicide awareness and
prevention:
Open conversations
Early intervention
Emotional support
Community awareness
Book shares practical
strategies, education, and real-life solutions for:
Individuals
Families
Carers
Educators
Professionals
chapter one
introduction
why
this book?
this book was written
to inform, support, and empower readers by offering an honest and accessible
insight into learning disabilities, mental health, autism, and special
educational needs. it is designed for people with lived experience, families,
carers, professionals, and anyone who wants to better understand these topics
without complex language or judgment.
too often, disability
and mental health are misunderstood or discussed without including the voices
of those who live with them every day. this book aims to change that by
centering lived experience while also offering practical information and
education.
________________________________________
about the author and
this book
author’s background
this book is written
by sara jane gorman, a passionate advocate for disability awareness, mental
health, and inclusion. sara draws deeply from her personal experiences as
someone living with learning difficulties and mental health challenges. her
journey has been shaped by resilience, self-advocacy, and a strong commitment
to social change.
sara has worked with
organizations such as mencap and one voice wolverhampton, supporting
individuals and communities through public speaking, training, volunteering,
and creative projects. through this work, she has helped raise awareness,
challenge stigma, and promote understanding of disability and mental health in
everyday life.
alongside this book,
sara also runs a blog where she shares honest reflections on daily life,
advocacy, disability rights, emotional well-being, and creative expression.
this book is an extension of that blog and represents her first published work.
it brings together many of the topics she explores online in a more structured,
educational, and accessible format.
________________________________________
book focus
understanding the
complexities of special needs and mental health is increasingly recognized as
essential to societal well-being. the effort to comprehend the challenges faced
by individuals with learning differences, mental health conditions, and related
issues is gaining momentum—driven not only by research, but also by personal
experiences like mine.
this is my first book,
but i have been writing since 2007 on my website, originally titled sara
revealed (sararevealed.blogspot.com). it shared my life experiences with
disability and mental health. now, i have rebranded it as sara’s learning
disability and mental health awareness blog, which focuses more on raising
awareness, highlighting both the difficulties and the strengths of people who
live with these conditions.
learning disability
and mental health awareness blog and book
welcome to special
needs, learning difficulties, disabilities and mental health text and handbook
common learning
disabilities discussed in this book
this book discusses
several common learning disabilities, including:
dyslexia –
difficulties with reading, phonics, spelling, and language processing
dyspraxia – challenges
with coordination, planning, organization, and motor skills
dysgraphia –
difficulties with writing, spelling, handwriting, and organizing ideas
dyscalculia –
difficulties with numbers, calculations, and mathematical understanding
many individuals
experience overlapping or co-existing learning disabilities. this is why
personalized, flexible support is essential. no two people learn in the same
way, and support should reflect individual strengths and needs.
________________________________________
autism spectrum
disorder (asd)
autism spectrum
disorder (asd) is a neurodevelopmental condition that presents differently in
every individual. people on the autism spectrum may experience differences in
communication, sensory processing, social interaction, and behaviors.
some individuals may
feel overwhelmed by sensory input such as noise, bright lights, textures, or
crowded environments. others may find social communication, change, or
unstructured situations challenging.
early and appropriate
support—such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, educational
adjustments, and structured support—can play a vital role in helping autistic
individuals thrive.
every autistic person
is unique.
understanding,
accepting, and respecting this diversity is essential to providing meaningful
and inclusive support.
________________________________________
mental health and
emotional wellbeing
mental health refers
to a person’s overall emotional and psychological wellbeing, including the
ability to cope with stress, maintain relationships, and manage daily life.
mental illness refers to diagnosable conditions that may require professional
support, treatment, or ongoing care.
this book explores
mental health conditions such as:
anxiety
depression
anger and emotional
regulation difficulties
borderline personality
disorder (bpd)
schizoaffective
disorder
schizophrenia
learning disabilities
and mental health conditions often co-exist. many individuals experience both
at the same time. supporting people holistically—rather than separating
diagnoses—is key to reducing stigma, improving understanding, and achieving
better outcomes.
________________________________________
support strategies:
mentoring, counselling, and suicide awareness
strong and
compassionate support systems can change lives. mentoring, peer support,
counselling, advocacy services, and community groups provide safe spaces where
individuals can be heard, understood, and supported.
this book also
addresses suicide awareness and prevention, recognizing that people with
disabilities and mental health challenges may be at increased risk. open
conversations, early intervention, emotional support, and community awareness
can save lives.
throughout the book,
practical strategies, educational approaches, and real-life solutions are
shared to support individuals, families, carers, educators, and professionals.
________________________________________
final thoughts
special needs and
mental health awareness by sara jane gorman is more than a book.
it is a message of
hope, education, and empowerment.
by sharing lived
experience and exploring learning disabilities, autism, and mental health, this
book aims to make invisible struggles visible and to promote understanding,
compassion, and inclusion.
whether you are a
student, parent, educator, professional, or someone with lived experience, this
book is written for you.
________________________________________
purpose of this blog
and book
the purpose of this
blog and book is to educate, support, and empower individuals affected by
learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and special needs.
this work exists to:
raise awareness and
challenge stigma
provide clear,
accessible information
amplify lived
experience
promote inclusion,
dignity, and understanding
help readers feel less
alone
it is written for
those navigating these challenges themselves, as well as for families,
educators, professionals, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of
disability and mental health.
________________________________________
optional photo caption
sara jane gorman –
advocate, writer, and speaker, sharing lived experience to raise awareness and
inspire change.
________________________________________
personal quote
(optional)
“we all have a voice.
sometimes we just need the right support to help us use it—and the right people
to hear it.”
— sara jane gorman
a welcome from the
author
hello everyone, and
thank you so much for your patience.
it is not always easy
to understand learning difficulties—especially when you live with a learning
disability, mental illness, or other challenges yourself. it can be hard to
make yourself heard and seen, and even harder for others to understand what daily
life is like when they have not lived that experience.
i am writing this book
to share how my disabilities affect my day-to-day life, and to explain the kind
of help, understanding, and support i want and need. this book is about
visibility, honesty, and making sure lived experience is valued.
you can follow my
ongoing journey through my blog:
🌐 sararevealed.blogspot.com
📧 sarajgorman@gmail.com
i am the author of
sara’s learning disability and mental health awareness blog. it is written for
people with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and other
challenges—as well as for those who support them, including parents, families,
carers, educators, and professionals.
alongside
awareness-raising, i also share my creative work, including my art, writing,
and poetry. this book is based on that blog and goes deeper into my personal
experiences and the support i have needed throughout my life.
the blog and book are
open to readers around the world, including both the uk and the usa, and i
include helpful resources relevant to both countries. i will not be closing
sara revealed—the blog and the book are naturally linked and support one
another.
________________________________________
my story and advocacy
journey
my name is sara jane
gorman. i was born in wolverhampton and live with autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia,
epilepsy, anxiety, and depression.
this book is rooted in
a website i first began writing in 2007, shortly after my gran passed away. i
created it with the support of my mother and sister. at the time, i was working
for royal wolverhampton mencap, based at the science park, and was part of a
self-advocacy group called our shout. that group played a huge role in helping
me find my voice and begin working in advocacy.
on that early website,
i shared the struggles my family faced in fighting for the support i
needed—support that i still need today.
from 2012 to 2015, i
worked for one voice advocacy service in wolverhampton as an advocate. i also
worked with the success group as a learning disability and mental health
awareness trainer. between 2012 and 2024, i delivered learning disability and
mental health awareness training as a visiting lecturer at the university of
wolverhampton.
i have delivered
training to:
• healthcare students
at the university of wolverhampton
• the school of
nursing at the university of wolverhampton
• healthcare
professionals at new cross hospital, wolverhampton
i also once co-ran a
small business called access all areas now!, supported by royal wolverhampton
mencap and employment pathways. our aim was to improve employment support for
people with learning disabilities. unfortunately, the project ended in 2011 due
to a lack of funding, but the experience strengthened my commitment to
advocacy.
i will always make
sure learning disability remains on the agenda.
________________________________________
creative work and
community leadership
i am a keen writer. in
2008, i wrote and co-produced a play highlighting the difficulties people with
learning disabilities face when accessing employment. i later completed a
script and screen course to develop my writing further.
i have also helped
support self-advocacy by assisting members of our shout to chair meetings and
take minutes on topics important to them. i once helped mencap set up a
disabled writers’ group, although i am unsure whether it is still running.
i used to run several
facebook groups, including:
• disabled advocacy
group
• learning disability
and mental health awareness
• hate crime towards
disabled people (run with my ex-partner, tim)
• readers and writers
group
my latest disabled
groups, whether it's one, two, three, or all of them, if they choose. thank
you. always take the time to learn about disability and never judge disability
disabled friends for
people living with disabilities, music, mental health, making friends, and
more, disability friendly trying to make friends.
purpose of this book /
blog
this book is designed
to help people understand learning disabilities, neurodivergence, mental
health, and related conditions. it is modular, accessible, and flexible, so
readers can use only the parts they need.
the modules can be
used by:
students and trainees
on relevant courses
staff and
professionals in health, education, and social care
managers and team
leaders supporting inclusion
parents, families, and
carers
people with lived
experience
you do not have to
complete quizzes or activities unless you want or need to. if you are not
studying or working in this area, feel free to skip questions and reflective
tasks.
________________________________________
general accessibility
principles
1. easy to read and
navigate
clear headings and
consistent layout
chunked text and short
paragraphs
summary boxes and
key-point highlights
visual aids where
helpful
2. multiple formats
print-friendly pdfs
powerpoint slide
versions
audio summaries
easy read versions
with widgit or arasaac symbols
captioned videos with
transcripts
3. inclusive language
uses person-first or
identity-first language depending on community preference
avoids jargon or
explains it clearly
respects lived
experience and diversity
4. sensory and
cognitive accessibility
dyslexia-friendly
fonts (e.g. open dyslexic)
high color contrast
and simple layouts
minimal clutter and no
flashing content
________________________________________
modular structure
overview
each chapter works as
a standalone module but also fits into the wider book.
module 1: foundations
of understanding
accessible goal:
everyone starts with the same basic understanding.
includes:
easy read summary at
the start
interactive or
side-panel glossary
short quotes from
people with lived experience
topics:
what are disabilities
and mental health conditions?
myths vs facts (quiz /
flashcards)
history of disability
rights and mental health care
inclusion and
intersectionality
________________________________________
module 2:
understanding individual conditions
accessible goal:
personalized learning using clear visuals and real stories.
each condition
includes:
simple overview page
(symbols + bullet points)
in-depth page (for
professionals)
real-life voices from
individuals or families
conditions covered:
learning disabilities:
dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia
autism and adhd
mental health:
anxiety, depression, ocd, ptsd
co-occurring
conditions and misdiagnosis
________________________________________
module 3: supporting
in practice (educator focus)
accessible goal:
practical strategies that work in real settings.
includes:
downloadable tools
(checklists, charts, templates)
scenario-based
activities with answers
caregiver corner
alongside educator guidance
sections:
inclusive environment
checklist
curriculum adaptations
understanding behavior
(trauma, anxiety, sensory overload)
working with families
and specialists
self-care and burnout
prevention
________________________________________
module 4: assessment
and intervention
accessible goal: make
diagnosis and support clear and less intimidating.
includes:
step-by-step visual
guides (iep / 504)
sample meeting scripts
printable referral
flowcharts
sections:
school vs clinical
assessment
understanding reports
and diagnoses
common interventions
medication: basic
guide and myths
legal rights (us and
uk)
________________________________________
module 5: toolkit for
all audiences
accessible goal: make
the book usable as a reference tool.
split by audience:
students
parents and carers
teachers and classroom
aides
health and social care
workers
each section includes:
top 10 tips
common questions and
answers
where to find help
(local and online)
________________________________________
teaching, studying,
and exam support
study and exam tips
use references while
learning
reduce references
closer to exams
make your own notes
do not copy others’
work
reading questions
carefully
highlight keywords
(what, when, who, why)
watch for words like
not or except
take a breath and read
slowly
________________________________________
accessibility
checklist (per module)
easy read version
available
audio summary included
widgit or arasaac
symbols used
printable and
screen-reader friendly
real-life examples
included
educator and caregiver
strategies included
________________________________________
2026 snapshot:
learning disability & mental health
learning disability
narrow definitions:
~1–3% of the population
broader learning
difficulties: up to 15–20%
high rates of
co-occurring autism, adhd, and mental health conditions
mental health
affects around 1 in 4
adults (uk & usa)
anxiety and depression
most common
rising rates in
children and young people
together
learning disability +
mental health increases risk
early, accessible
support improves outcomes
understanding and
inclusion matter more than “fixing”
________________________________________
final message to
readers
we cannot remove
life’s challenges, but we can improve understanding, support, and inclusion.
whether you are
studying, working, caring, or learning for personal reasons, this book is here
to support you. use what helps you, skip what does not, and take things at your
own pace.
everyone deserves
understanding, dignity, and the chance to reach their potential.
chapter 2 special
needs and learning disability
definition:
o a learning
disability is a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability
to acquire, process,
store, and respond to information.
o it is intrinsic to
the individual, meaning it's not caused by environmental factors like lack of
educational opportunity.
o it primarily affects
specific cognitive processes, such as reading, writing, or mathematics.
o examples include
dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and dyscalculia (math).
o as the provided text
indicates, a learning disability can also affect adaptive skills, such as those
needed for daily living.
• key characteristics:
o it is a lifelong
condition.
o it can affect
academic achievement and daily life.
o individuals with
learning disabilities have varying strengths and weaknesses.
o it is not related to
intelligence. people with learning disabilities can have average or
above-average intelligence.
learning difficulty:
• definition:
o learning difficulty
is a broader term that encompasses any challenge a person faces in learning.
o it can be caused by
various factors, including learning disabilities, but also by other conditions
such as adhd, sensory impairments, or environmental factors.
o it refers to a
significant difficulty in learning compared to the majority of people of the
same age.
o as indicated by the
provided text, conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and adhd can cause
learning difficulties.
• key characteristics:
o it can be temporary
or permanent.
o it may require extra
support or accommodations.
o it can affect
various areas of learning.
the introduction of
special needs and mental health awareness.
why did i start writing this blog/book? why the book matters.
about the blog/ book
· the
blog is a mix of lived experience, encouragement, disability rights advocacy,
and creative expression. it has become a helpful resource for people who are
navigating similar journeys, and for those who want to understand the world
through sara’s eyes better.
· this
book builds on that foundation, turning individual posts and experiences into a
structured guide for wider audiences, including students, parents, educators,
and support workers.
· [optional]
photo caption
· sara
jane gorman – advocate, writer, and speaker – sharing her experiences to raise
awareness and inspire change.
· (use
this under your author photo if you include one in the book.)
· personal
quote from sara (optional)
· “we
all have a voice. sometimes we just need the right support to help us use
it—and the right people to hear it.”
— sara jane gorman
i was born
and bred in wolverhampton, uk.
🧩
|
i was born
with autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, epilepsy, anxiety, and depression i
wolverhampton uk.
|
💡
|
why i wrote this
book: i started my website in 2007 and worked with royal wolverhampton mencap
to support people like me.
|
📚
|
my experience: i
overcame school struggles, learned from my challenges, and became a lecturer
and advocate.
|
🎯
|
my goal: to educate
and support those with learning disabilities and mental health needs.
|
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