Adults with differing abilities

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability should not be confused with a learning difficulty or mental illness. A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things in any area of life, not just at school. Approximately 1.5 million people in the UK have one. A learning disability affects the way a person understands information and their ability to communicate. This means a person with a learning disability will have difficulty:

• understanding new or complex information
• learning new skills, and
• coping independently

A learning disability can be mild, moderate or severe. Some people with a mild learning disability can communicate easily and care for themselves, but take slightly longer than usual to learn new skills. Others may not be able to communicate at all and have more than one disability.

A diagnosis of profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD), is used when a person has more than one disability, with the most significant being a learning disability.

Many people diagnosed with PMLD will also have a sensory or physical disability, complex health needs and/or mental health difficulties. People with PMLD need someone to assist them with most areas of everyday life, such as eating, washing, aspects of personal care and interacting within the local community.

What is a Physical disability?

A physical disability is any impairment that limits the physical function of one or more limbs or fine or gross motor ability. Other physical disabilities include impairments, which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory disorders and epilepsy. Physical disabilities can be acquired before birth (Prenatal), during birth (Perinatal) or at anytime after birth (Postnatal). It is thought that there are currently over 10 million people in the United Kingdom who live with some form of physical disability.

How we can help.

At Celtic Care Services we realise that everyone is an individual. Your care service will be tailored to your needs and our Care Workers will work with you to encourage your independence and enable you to live a fulfilling and rewarding life.

To speak to someone about our services please telephone: 01249 651908 (Chippenham) or 01793 237907 (Swindon).