📌 Contents
- Overview
- Annual health checks
- Getting support
- Support if you are going into hospital
🧩 Overview
A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their life.
A learning disability is different for everyone. No two people are the same.
A person with a learning disability might have difficulty with:
- Understanding complicated information
- Learning new skills
- Looking after themselves or living alone
🌱 What having a learning disability can mean
A learning disability is different for everyone.
Some people with a learning disability can:
- Work
- Have relationships
- Live independently
- Gain qualifications
Other people may need more support throughout their lives.
👨⚕️ Support for people with a learning disability and family carers
Doctors and health professionals may sometimes identify a learning disability:
- Before birth
- In early childhood
- Or later in adulthood
After diagnosis, a person may be referred to other health professionals for additional support.
Support is also available for:
- Families
- Parents
- Carers
- Charities and support organisations
🔍 What causes a learning disability?
We do not always know the exact cause.
A learning disability can happen when a baby’s brain development is affected:
- Before birth
- During birth
- In early childhood
Possible causes include:
- Illness during pregnancy
- Birth complications reduce oxygen to the brain
- Genetic changes (sometimes inherited)
- Illness or injury in early childhood (e.g., meningitis)
- Developmental conditions such as spina bifida
🧬 Health conditions linked to learning disability
Some health conditions increase the likelihood of a learning disability:
- Down syndrome – all individuals have some level of learning disability
- Cerebral palsy – many people may have a learning disability
- Epilepsy – some people may also have a learning disability
- Autism – many autistic people may also have learning disabilities
🧠 Profound and Multiple Learning Disability (PMLD)
A Profound and Multiple Learning Disability (PMLD) means a person has:
- A severe learning disability
- Plus other disabilities that affect independence and communication
A person with PMLD may have difficulties with:
- Seeing
- Hearing
- Speaking
- Moving
They may also have complex health and social care needs.
🧴 Support needs for PMLD
People with PMLD often need support with:
- Eating
- Washing
- Personal care
- Daily living tasks
Even with high support needs, many people can still:
- Take part in decisions about their lives
- Do activities they enjoy
- Build independence in their own way
💬 Communication support
Some people with speech difficulties can use alternative communication methods such as:
- Sign language
- Signalong
- Makaton
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Digital communication tools
🌟 Key message
Learning disabilities affect people in different ways. With the right support, people can live meaningful, independent, and fulfilling lives.
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