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Learning Disability
(Extract from the Mind Publication "Understanding Learning Disability ")
People who have been labelled as mentally handicapped do not like it, and many prefer to be described as having learning disabilities or special needs. They feel that these terms communicate better the difficulties they face and the needs they have in learning to live in a complex and often uncaring society.
Mental disability (handicap) is sometimes confused with mental illness, though they are very different. A person who is diagnosed as mentally ill can temporarily hold a distorted view of the world as a result of their feelings of distress. A person with learning disabilities may seem to have a very individual view of the world, but it is usually consistent and stable.
Topics also included in this leaflet are:
What causes it?
Down's Syndrome
How will it affect the family as a whole?
What kind of financial help can we get?
What about schools?
What kind of help can we get with long-term care?
How can people best be supported to lead full lives?
Standing up for rights
Useful organisations
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