The meaning of learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities find it a lot more difficult to learn and understand than people without learning disabilities. They may find it hard to use what they have learned in practical ways. Because of this, they are likely to need help and support with everyday living skills. Some people need high levels of help and support. Other people, with some help, are able to live quite independently.

Some people with learning disabilities prefer the term ‘learning difficulties’. In the UK ‘learning difficulties’ tends to be used to describe specific learning problems.

The causes of learning disabilities

A learning disability is caused by something that affects the way the brain develops, usually before, during or soon after birth. These are some examples.

• Before birth, damage to the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) can cause a learning disability. Rarely, a child can be born with a learning disability if their mother has an accident or illness while she is pregnant. Some babies are born with learning disabilities if they have a genetic problem, such as Down’s syndrome. 
• A child can be born with a learning disability if they don’t get enough oxygen during birth.
• After birth, a learning disability can be caused by early childhood illnesses, such as meningitis, or accidents, which cause problems with the child’s development.

In about five out of every 10 people with a learning disability, the cause is never found. As the knowledge of genetics increases, more causes are being identified.