A learning disability affects how a person learns new information and communicates, impacting their ability to understand complex ideas, learn new skills, and function independently. Around 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability, which can range from mild to severe. While a learning disability is different from a learning difficulty or mental illness, support from professionals is available to help individuals live as independently as possible.

1. What is Learning Disability?

2. What is Learning Disability?
A learning disability affects the way a person learns new
things in any area of life, not just at school. Find out how a
learning disability can affect someone, and where you can
find support.

3. What is Learning Disability?
A learning disability affects the way a person understands
information and how they communicate. Around 1.5m
people in the UK have one. This means they can have
difficulty:
understanding new or complex information
 learning new skills
 coping independently

4. What is Learning Disability?
Mild, moderate or severe learning disability
A learning disability can be mild, moderate or severe. Some
people with a mild learning disability can talk easily and
look after themselves, but take a bit longer than usual to
learn new skills. Others may not be able to communicate at
all and have more than one disability

5. What is Learning Disability?
A learning disability is not the same as a learning difficulty
or mental illness. Consultant paediatrician Dr Martin Ward
Platt says: "It can be very confusing," he says, pointing out
that the term "learning difficulties" is used by some people
to cover the whole range of learning disabilities.

6. What is Learning Disability?
Some children with learning disabilities grow up to be quite
independent, while others need help with everyday tasks,
such as washing or getting dressed, for their whole lives. It
depends on their abilities.

7. What is Learning Disability?
Sources of support for learning disabilities
Some learning disabilities are diagnosed at birth, such
as Down's syndrome. Others might not be discovered until
the child is old enough to talk or walk.
Once your child is diagnosed with a learning disability, your
GP can refer you for any specialist support you may need.
You'll begin to get to know the team of professionals who
will be involved in your child's care.

8. What is Learning Disability?
Support from professionals – including GPs, paediatricians,
speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and
educational and clinical psychologists – is available to help
individuals live as full and independent a life as possible.