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Support for people with learning disabilities

There are different types and levels of learning disability. There are support services available for people who have a learning disability, their families and carers.

What is learning disability?

A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things in any area of life. It affects the way they understand information and how they communicate. This means they can have difficulty:

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

A learning disability can be mild, moderate or severe. People with a learning disability may also have associated physical or sensory disabilities.

Assessment and treatment

Some learning disabilities are diagnosed at birth – Down’s syndrome for example. Others might not be discovered until later.

Assessment and treatment services are provided at the three learning disability hospitals in Northern Ireland:

  • Lakeview, Londonderry
  • Longstone, Armagh
  • Muckamore Abbey, Antrim

An assessment and treatment service for Children is also provided at the Iveagh Centre in Belfast.

Learning disability support services

In Northern Ireland, people with a learning disability are supported to live as independently as possible. The services and support provided will depend on individual circumstances and will require an assessment of individual needs.

Services such as assessment and treatment, community living, respite and day opportunities will be provided by your local Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability which can affect the way a person communicates and relates to other people.

Plans are ongoing to develop and improve health and social care services in Northern Ireland for people of all ages who are affected by ASD, their families and carers. The Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Network can provide information on what improvements to autism services are planned.

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