Support With Learning Difficulties

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a lifelong condition that affects the way you learn new things.

If you have a learning disability, you may find it more difficult to:

There are different causes of a learning disability. They usually happen when the brain is still developing. This could be before or during birth, or in early childhood.

It’s important that people with a learning disability get the right support. With support, most people with a learning disability in the UK can lead independent lives.

There are different causes of a learning disability. They usually happen when the brain is still developing. This could be before or during birth, or in early childhood.

It’s important that people with a learning disability get the right support. With support, most people with a learning disability in the UK can lead independent lives.

There are different causes of a learning disability. They usually happen when the brain is still developing. This could be before or during birth, or in early childhood.

It’s important that people with a learning disability get the right support. With support, most people with a learning disability in the UK can lead independent lives.

Learning disability and other conditions

People often confuse learning disability with other conditions. Some examples include:

Autism. Autism is not a learning disability, and it is not a mental health problem. Autism is a developmental disability which affects how you communicate and interact. But some autistic people may also have a learning disability. Autistic people may also experience mental health problems. Find out more about our work on mental health and autism.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is not a learning disability, and it is not a mental health problem. ADHD is a condition which can affect your behaviour. But some people who experience ADHD may also have a learning disability. People with ADHD may also experience mental health problems. For more information, see our page about ADHD and mental health.

It is also possible to have a diagnosis of both ADHD and autism at the same time.

Profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD)

A profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD) is when a person has a severe learning disability and other disabilities that significantly affect their ability to communicate and be independent.

Someone with a profound and multiple learning disability might have difficulties seeing, hearing, speaking and moving. They may have complicated health and social care needs due to these or other conditions.

People with a profound and multiple learning disability need support to help them with some areas of their life, such as eating, washing or personal care.

Lots of people with a profound and multiple learning disability can still be involved in decisions about themselves, do things they enjoy and be independent.

Some people who struggle with talking might be able to use other ways of communication, like sign language, Signalong, Makaton, or digital systems like picture exchange communication systems (PECS).

Passing your exams matters

Only 6% of adults with a learning disability have passed their exams.

Passing your exams is about more than becoming British. It’s about feeling valued, independent, and fulfilled. We’re doing everything we can to make this possible for more people with a learning disability by doing the following:

Providing extra training for students with learning disabilities
Private classes to help students concentrate
Assigned to their own special needs tutor
Regular check-ups and encouragement to make sure they are on the right path

What to do next?

If you are a person with a learning disability looking to pass your exams or a parent or family member of a person with a learning disability then we can help. Contact us to get more information today!