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What is a learning disability? |
Learning disabilities, which used
to be called 'mental handicap', are acquired before, at or soon after birth. They can be
caused by chromosomal abnormalities - the most common is Down's
Syndrome - or by an illness which the mother has during pregnancy. Sometimes brain
damage at birth results in learning disabilities. And some learning disabilities have no
obvious cause. It is a life-long condition resulting in difficulty in learning,
behavioural problems and other social disadvantages.  Learning disability is the most common form of disability in Britain affecting around 1.2 million people. The extent of learning disability varies from mild to profound. There are around 200,000 adults in the UK with severe disabilities and about 50,000 children. Many of these have hearing or sight impairments to cope with as well. About three quarters of them have speech and communication problems and some also have mental health problems. Many children and a high proportion of adults are affected by epilepsy. Some people live relatively independently, hold down jobs and have busy social lies. At the other extreme, where people have profound and multiple disabilities, round-the-clock support is necessary. A total of about a quarter of a million adults and children in the UK are in need of life-long support. 25% of these have profound and multiple disabilities. For them the availability of expert and intensive care is essential at all times. About 90% of children with severe learning disabilities live at home with their parents. National and local evidence suggests that about 125,000 adults with severe disabilities live with their families. It is important to remember that people with learning disabilities still have a wide range of abilities and the same interests, aspirations and emotions as other people. The labels may have changed, but they still face misunderstanding and discrimination throughout their lives. Some people confuse learning disabilities with mental illness. Anyone can develop a mental illness, and can be treated, and in many cases cured. Learning disability is not an illness. Calling it 'learning disability' rather than 'mental handicap' helps to make the difference clear. There are a number of organisations that support people with a learning disability, their parents and carers. Mencap is by far the largest, but there are many that concentrate on specific disabilities. Some of these organisations have web pages. Click here for a list of some useful links. |
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