Autism & Learning Disability
There are at least 120,000 people with a learning disability and 56,000 autistic people, across Scotland. A third of autistic people also have a learning disability. While some of the barriers and injustices facing both people with a learning disability and autistic people are distinct, others are shared and that is why we have come together to campaign for positive change.
What is Autism?
Autism is a neuro developmental condition that can change the way a person views, interacts, and processes the world around them. This means that they may see, feel and understand things differently to others. Autism is a lifelong condition, it is part of who a person is, part of their identity. Whilst some autistic people may have more subtle differences others will have more complex needs requiring more intensive support.
Autism is typically diagnosed in childhood, however many people do not receive a diagnosis until adulthood, if at all. Diagnosis is the formal process for identifying that a person is autistic, and is usually reached by a multidisciplinary diagnostic team. A referral maybe made by the individual themselves, a GP, education professional or in some cases a mental health team. The decision to seek a diagnosis is a deeply personal one and for many people obtaining a diagnosis is a long and difficult process, and many choose not to go down this route. For some however, getting a timely diagnosis can be helpful in developing their own identity as well as enabling others around them to understand their needs.
Every autistic person has skills and strengths unique to them, it is through a deep understanding of who the person is, their thinking style and how they understand the world that we can enable happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
If you need more information, please contact:
National Autistic Society Scotland:
0141 221 8090
www.autism.org.uk
or
Scottish Autism Advice Line:
01259 222022
www.scottishautism.org
What is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is a significant, lifelong condition that starts before adulthood, which affects a person’s development and which means that they may need help to understand information, learn skills and live independently.
Having a learning disability means a person may take longer to learn things and often needs support to develop new skills, be aware of risk, understand complicated information and interact with other people.
Some people who have other conditions, such as; Down’s syndrome and some people who have autism or dyspraxia also have a learning disability.
A learning disability can be diagnosed at any time. A child may be diagnosed at birth, or identified during early childhood development. For some people it may be many years before they receive a diagnosis, while others may never receive a diagnosis at all.
Diagnosis of a learning disability is often perceived as the key that unlocks access to vital supports and services for children and families. However the journey to receiving that diagnosis is often long, tortuous, and complex; meaning families are often struggling without any support during the formative early years of their disabled child’s life.
The level of support a person needs depends on the individual. In the UK we have used the terms profound, severe, moderate and mild to describe people who have a learning disability. But all of this is only part of a description. It does not capture the whole person, and everything they are – a friend, a family member, a community activist, a student, a parent, an employee or employer for example. It is essential that we keep in mind all of these possibilities and support individuals who have a learning disability to be equal members of society, and to realise their full potential and goals in life.
If you need more information, please contact:
ENABLE Scotland: 0300 0200 101
www.enable.org.uk/