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Learning Disability

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Your guide to Learning Disabilities

Disability Peterborough are here for any queries you may have, call us on 01733 265551 or email info@disabilitypeterborough.org

Learning Disability

  • Introduction

    A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their lifetime. It affects the way a person understands information and how they communicate and can find it difficult to understand new or complex information, learn new skills or to cope independently.

    Types of Learning Disability

    Types of learning disabilities differ hugely. Someone with mild disabilities may be able to live independently with minimal support, whereas someone with severe and profound disabilities may require 24 hour care and help with performing most daily living skills.

    What is a Learning Disability?

    A learning disability is defined by the Department of Health as a ‘significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence), with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning), which started before adulthood’.

    Global Developmental Delay

    Sometimes, the term ‘Global Developmental Delay‘ (GDD) is used to describe a learning disability. GDD describes a condition that occurs between birth and the age of 18 which prevents a child from reaching key milestones of development like learning to communicate, processing information, remembering things and organising their thoughts.

    Around 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability. It is estimated that 350,000 people have a severe learning disability.

Support Organisations

  • Enabling Independence Service

    Enabling Independence Service can provide Information, Advice, Guidance & Advocacy to Adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism in the Peterborough area. They offer face to face appointments, drops-in mornings for parents, and home visits. Telephone 01733 530062, Email help@enabling-independence.co.uk, or Visit www.enabling-independence.co.uk

  • Special Olympics Peterborough

    The Special Olympics in Peterborough provides access to:

    • Year round sports for people with an intellectual disability (most sessions are inclusive for all disabilities)
    • Age 8 upwards with no upper limit
    • Training is carried out by qualifies coaches and dedicated team of volunteers
    • Offers opportunity for those who just want to keep fit, socialise and make friends
    • Unique pathway to local, region, national or international competitions

    Telephone Kay Greenaway 01733 265551, or Visit www.fis.peterborough.gov.uk

  • City College Peterborough Day Opportunities

    Day Opportunities is a social care provider, supporting young people and adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. Their centre for Complex Needs and four hubs are located throughout Peterborough. They offer skills development, supporting work opportunities and maintain health and wellbeing. Being part of City College, they have access to skills funding for the people they support and parent/carers. Co-production is at their heart whether by staff creating individual support plans or their Advisory Board making important decisions. The advisory board members are experts by experience and comprise of the people they support, parents, carers and front-line staff. Telephone Debbie Hembrow, Team Manager on 01733 797 726, or Visit www.fis.peterborough.gov.uk

  • Thera East Anglia

    Thera support people with a learning disability in their own homes. They can support people with housing, education, social and leisure opportunities, community involvement, citizenship, work, finances, relationships and health. They support people with a learning disability and any other needs from the age of 18. Telephone 0300 303 1281, Email info@thera.co.uk, or Visit www.thera.co.uk

  • Zest

    Zest is a registered charity for adults with a wide range of learning disabilities and autistic spectrum difficulties. They support people from BAME communities with all aspects of their lives related to their learning difficulty. Telephone 01733 560010, Email erum@zest-rtl.com, or Visit www.zest-rtl.com

  • Mencap

    Information and advice for people with a learning disability, their families and carers. Services include an online community. Telephone their Learning Disability helpline 0808 808 1111, or Visit www.mencap.org.uk

  • Respond

    Services for people with a learning disability, autism, or both, who have experienced abuse or trauma. Telephone 0207 383 0700, Email admin@respond.org.uk, or Visit www.respond.org.uk

  • The Challenging Behaviour Foundation

    The Challenging Behaviour Foundation (CBF) supports families, professionals and other stakeholders through education, information, research and partnership working. Telephone 01634 838739, Email support@cbf.org.uk, or Visit www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk

More Information