1st April 2020
We at Falcon Housing Association, Durham focus on learning disabilities independent living. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background, should be able to live as independently as possible, in order to live life to the fullest. However, we do recognise that there are times where support is needed – and happily offer this too.
One thing we’ve learnt is that, when it comes to learning disability independent living, many people have misconceptions about what learning disabilities actually are – and how they present in people. In this post, we’ll go through some of these points.
What is a learning disability?
The charity Mencap defines it as ‘[having] a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities’’. Like us, they know that many people who have a learning disability can still lead an independent life. Note that a learning disability is different from a learning difficulty (such as dyslexia).
Common learning disabilities
A learning disability is lifelong. It can be mild, moderate, severe or profound and can affect mobility, personal care and communication. Here are some of the most common:
Down’s syndrome – this is caused by having an extra chromosome in your cells and usually occurs by chance. It can cause a delay in reaching certain milestones or learning specific skills.
William’s syndrome – this is a rare, genetic condition. It can cause a delay in child development.
Autism – while it is not a learning disability, many with this condition also have learning disabilities. It can affect how a person interacts and communicates with others, and how they experience the world.
Asperger’s syndrome – a form of autism, some people with this condition also have anxiety.
Cerebral palsy – this can affect a person’s movement, posture and co-ordination, as well as cause seizures or language difficulties. Cerebral palsy isn’t a learning disability, but some with the condition may have learning disabilities.
Living with a learning disability
As stated, many people with learning disabilities lead fulfilling, independent lives. Part of this involves having the right set-up in the home environment, which is where we at Falcon Housing Association, Durham, come in, offering a tailored approach to each and every one of our tenants. Whether it’s having a care package with different carers, supporting with mobility, managing admin, or carrying out maintenance, we can take care of it all.
If you or someone you know has a learning disability and would benefit from our help, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today and find out how we can help with learning disability independent living.