A learning disability is a condition characterized by developmental delays that may occur before, during, or after birth. While some individuals may have identifiable causes, such as Down syndrome, many do not. It is important to recognize each person’s unique abilities and functioning skills. Unlike mental illness, which can sometimes be treated, a learning disability results from damage to the brain or nervous system and cannot be reversed or “cured.”
Care needs vary widely among individuals with learning disabilities. Some may depend entirely on others for care, while others appear independent but may face challenges such as behavioural issues, mental health concerns, or epilepsy.
A learning disability is a lifelong condition, not an illness. With appropriate support, many can develop practical and social skills, even if it takes longer. Each person’s disability is different, affecting their ability to understand complex information and learn new skills, whether practical tasks or social interactions. Some may need alternative communication methods or help with daily activities, while others can live independently with minimal assistance.
The official definition of learning disability is someone who has all of the following:
- A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence)
- A reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning)
- A condition which started before adulthood (under the age of 18), with a lasting effect on development.
It is important not to confuse learning disability with the conditions below:
- Learning difficulty
- Mental illness
- Brain damage in adulthood
- Cerebral palsy and epilepsy
- Specific scholastic problems
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s Syndrome with no effect on IQ
- Epilepsy
- Neurological conditions with no effect on IQ
For more information about learning disabilities click on the link below.