The Department of Health defines a learning disability as the presence of a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information or to learn new skills, coupled with a reduced ability to cope independently that began before adulthood and has had a lasting effect on development. These difficulties mean that individuals may need support in new environments, such as health centres, and may not understand information relating to their health needs if it is not presented to them in an accessible manner.
Evidence suggests that people with learning disabilities have greater healthcare needs than the general population and that these needs are often unmet. This resource is intended to give staff/carers the tools to deliver dignity in healthcare to people with learning disabilities.
Learning Disability Guidance
- The Autism Act 2009: developing specialist skills in Autism practice
- Communicating with the child who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A practical introduction
- Getting it Right for People with Learning Disabilities (LCH Guide for Staff)
- How to support people with Autism poster
- Learning Disability Information from the Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Pain assessment tools for the child with severe learning disability
- Resource Pack for Professionals (NHS Guidance)
Communication Tools
- Hospital Communication Book
- Easyhealth was made so that people know where to find ‘accessible’ health information .‘ Accessible information is information that uses easy words with pictures. There are around 500 information leaflets
- My Information Passport - for people with Learning Disabilities when they attend health appointments
- Complaint leaflet in easy read