This year The Gifted are supporting Learning Disability Week, run by the charity Mencap from 19 – 25 June. In this month’s blog we are looking at the difference between learning disabilities and learning difficulties.
The focus of the 2023 campaign is to bust myths about living life with a learning disability, showing “the world the incredible things that people with a learning disability achieve, smashing misconceptions about what people can do and shining a light on the stigma many still face every day.” Many people with learning disabilities have overcome their challenges and have excelled in life.
What are the differences?
The definition of a learning disability “is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.”
Whereas a learning difficulty “is a type of Special Education Needs, which affects areas of learning, such as reading, writing, spelling, mathematics etc.”
Having a learning disability can often be confused with learning difficulties such as Dyspraxia, dyslexia or ADHD. But learning difficulties are distinctly different to learning disabilities, because difficulties do not affect intellect.
Is Autism a learning disability?
It does however, differ slightly when it comes to autism. “Like a learning disability, autism is a lifelong condition. Autism is sometimes referred to as a spectrum, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD)” according to Mencap. Although Autism is not classed as a learning disability, roughly half of autistic people could also have a learning disability.
Learning difficulties and The Gifted
It is reported that “Young people with a SEND are five times more likely to enter the criminal justice system” according to CYPNOW. This can simply be a result of inadequate support around them.
The Gifted work with many young people who have Special Educational Needs (SEN), this includes young people who are on the autistic spectrum. Specialised delivery of our projects to those with SEN, helps participants to develop the tools needed to identify their emotions. Our projects also create mechanisms for them to express their emotions effectively.
Workshops for young people with SEN
We conducted a workshop recently inside an SEN college for students with various disabilities and difficulties. This work highlighted their vulnerability when it comes to appropriate relationships. It became apparent that they could be more vulnerable to breaking laws when it comes to sexual conduct, simply because of a lack of knowledge and understanding.
As part of the Butterfly Project delivery, we specifically focus on relationships as part of the 6-week programme. These sessions equip young people with the right tools, making sure that they can form healthy relationships and put the right boundaries in place.
The Gifted’s impact on young people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties
Annie, the educator who invited us to deliver the Butterfly Project to their young people said that “a lot of our pupils struggle with relationships online and appropriateness of relationships”, but taking part in the Butterfly Project had cemented their understanding.
You can find out more about our impact with learning difficulties by watching the short video below.
