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What are learning disabilities?

A learning disability is an impairment in intellectual functioning with additional difficulty in social situations or life skills. Someone with a learning disability, for example, may be able to live an independent life but may find everyday skills difficult such as cooking, budgeting or reading and writing - which affects someone for their whole life.

People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need additional support to develop new skills, understand complex information and interact with other people.

There are many conditions which are associated with a learning disability such as Down Syndrome (always associated with learning disabilities), epilepsy (higher incidence in people with learning disabilities), autism (about 50-70% of people with autism have a learning disability) and cerebral palsy.

CASE can also support individuals who may not have a formal diagnosis of a learning disability but have such associated conditions.

This is why people with a learning disability need a voice. This should not just come from other people but individuals with a learning disability need to be supported to voice their own opinions.