understanding learning disability

by Claire Laurent

understanding learning disability | help and info

Learning disability is a broad term covering a wide range of intellectual impairment. It is a widely adopted term in the UK for intellectual disability and is used when someone functions at a level of intellectual ability which is significantly lower than their chronological age. This is generally measured as an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 70 or less.

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A learning disability is lifelong. It cannot be 'cured' or 'treated' but people with a learning disability can achieve a lot with the right support. They will have greater difficulty than their non-disabled peers in acquiring basic life skills and may be dependent on others to a greater or lesser extent according to their needs. They are likely to need specialist educational input but this is often possible within mainstream school settings.

what causes learning disability?

There are many different causes of learning disability, some unknown. It's a lifelong condition that starts at birth or shortly afterwards and limits intellectual capacity. It may be caused by inherited factors such as Fragile X syndrome or may be due to an injury during birth. Sometimes the supply of blood and therefore oxygen to a baby's brain becomes restricted during birth and affects the brain. Also, an illness such as meningitis or an accident may cause damage to the brain.

Learning disability may occur in isolation, together with other sensory or physical impairment or as part of a recognisable genetic syndrome such as Down's syndrome. A genetic condition occurs as a result of a defect of certain genes or chromosomes and is not necessarily inherited.

who has learning disability

According to the government White Paper on people with Learning Disability (see valuing people) the total number of people with a learning disability in the UK is about 1.2 million, with no significant difference between numbers of men and women affected. People from all walks of life and ethnic background can be affected and, unless they have a condition such as Down's syndrome with its characteristic facial features, it's not possible to tell from someone's appearance whether they have a learning disability.

understanding terminology

The term 'learning difficulty' is used interchangeably with 'learning disability'. This can lead to confusion with 'specific learning difficulty', which usually refers to dyslexia and associated problems. However, some organisations for people with learning disabilities, such as People First, prefer the term 'learning difficulties'.

valuing people

The problems faced by learning disabled people are highlighted in Valuing People: A new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century, published in 2000 – the first White paper on learning disability services to be published for 30 years.

The four key principles underpinning the White paper are:

• Legal and civil rights: People with learning disabilities have the right to a decent education, to grow up to vote, to marry, to have a family, to express opinions, with help and support to do so where necessary.
• Independence: The presumption should be of independence, rather than dependence, with public services providing the support needed to maximise this.
• Choice: Like other people, people with learning disabilities want a real say in where they live, what work they should do and who looks after them.
• Inclusion: This means enabling people with learning disabilities to do those ordinary things, make use of mainstream services and be fully included in local communities.

New funding has been set aside to implement the proposals of the White paper and will be used to:

• modernise day centres
• enable people to move from long-stay hospitals to more appropriate accommodation in the community
• develop supported living approaches for people living with older carers
• develop specialist local services for people with severe challenging behaviour
• develop integrated facilities for people with severe disabilities and complex needs.

The implementation of the White paper is being monitored by a Learning Disability Task Force and Learning Disability Partnership Boards have responsibility for ensuring implementation locally.

(February 2003, resources updated June 2005)

Read on for details of relevant organisations, websites and reading.