Learning disability

A learning disability is different to a learning difficulty. A learning difficulty is when a person finds it challenging to learn certain things. A learning difficulty does not necessarily mean a reduced level of intelligence or intellect. Examples of learning difficulties include dyslexia and dyscalculia.

Autistic and/or ADHD children and young people may also have a learning disability, but not all do.

A learning disability is sometimes divided into four levels: mild, moderate, severe or profound. 

These levels can give an indication of the extent to which a person is impacted by their learning disability, or how much support they need. However, the term “mild” may be misleading as it may indicate minimal needs when there could be areas of life that someone finds very challenging and needs significant support with. 

A person with a mild learning disability may interact well with others and be able to cope with everyday tasks. However, they may need significant support in other areas of their life such as education or employment. 

A person with a severe or profound learning disability will require more support and care with areas such as personal care and communication.

A learning disability occurs when the brain is still developing (before, during or after birth) and several things can contribute to this. However, for many people diagnosed with a learning disability, the cause is often unknown.

• Accident/illness of the mother prior to or during birth
• Infections prior to birth
• Premature birth
• Difficulties during the birth
• Genetic differences or syndromes
• Head or brain injury
• Childhood illnesses, injuries or seizures
• Substance use during pregnancy

Having a diagnosis of a learning disability can help the individual, and those around them, to better understand their strengths and needs. However, a diagnosis of a learning disability will only give a snapshot of that individual; it is important for each child/young person’s individual profile to be identified, including personal strengths and challenges, so that support is individually tailored to need.

In some situations, having a diagnosis can help you to get the support you need. However, most support services in Leeds are led by the needs of the individual, not the formal diagnosis. This is called a ‘needs-led approach’. A diagnosis can be made as a child or as an adult depending on when additional needs are identified.

There is not currently a specific service that assesses or diagnoses children and young people with learning disabilities in Leeds. Nevertheless, this diagnosis may be given by services that the child/young person sees, e.g. paediatrician, as part of their wider care.  

Children and young people with learning disabilities in Leeds do not need a formal diagnosis to access the support they require from health or education services. Children and young people can be referred to the appropriate health services, as needed, based on their individual needs, without formal diagnoses.

Children and young people with a learning disability will have varying levels of additional academic, social and environmental needs in school. Some individuals manage mainstream education with minimal additional support whilst others may need a lot of support in school or even a specialist provision. 

Schools are responsible for meeting the additional needs of all children regardless of any specific diagnosis. Any concerns regarding school and education should be raised with your child’s teacher or the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). Find out more about support in schools in our Education and neurodiversity – MindMate section.

If your child has received a diagnosis of a learning disability, you can inform your GP to be put onto the Learning Disability Register. This can give you more support when you book and see a doctor or nurse. 

Young people over the age of 14 years old may also be able to have a yearly health check if they are on the Learning Disability Register. This can help to keep individuals with learning disabilities healthy. 

Individuals with learning disabilities are not automatically put on this register. If you wish to be on the Learning Disability Register, you must contact the GP on behalf of your child. 

• You can find out more about the Learning Disability Register on the Mencap website here
• There are also more leaflets about the Learning Disability Register on the NHS England website here

Patients and their carers can fill out a ‘hospital passport’ to share any information with healthcare staff that will aid them to provide better support. This could be communication style, any sensory sensitivities, anxieties or likes/dislikes that the patient has. 

The hospital passport is available to anyone who has a learning disability. You can download and complete a hospital passport  here on the Leeds Teaching Hospital website

Leeds CYPMHS (previously known as CAMHS) Learning Disability team consists of nurses and doctors who are specially trained to work with children and young people with learning disabilities and can provide specialist care and support. The Leeds CYPMHS Learning Disability team only work with children and young people who have moderate to severe learning disabilities. 

This service does not do diagnostic assessments for learning disabilities. However, your child can access support from the team if they either already have a diagnosis of a moderate to severe learning disability, or there is clear evidence that their daily living and learning abilities are at this level, e.g. significant learning needs, an Education and Health Care Plan describing this, information from other education/health services.

Children and young people can be referred to the Leeds CAMHS Learning Disability service through Leeds MindMate SPA. (Single Point of Access). You need to have tried the Early Help support offered by school before being referred to the Leeds CAMHS Learning Disability service

The Child Health and Disability (CHAD) service is a team of professionals who work with children and young people (0-18) who have complex health needs and disabilities, where their disability has an impact on their ability to be safe, develop skills for life and be part of their local communities growing up.

The service aims to make sure that every child with a complex health need and disability receives child-centred, high-quality, flexible, and responsive services to enable them to reach their potential. More information about the CHAD service can be found here via Leeds City Council