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Support for people with a Learning Disability
A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their life.
A learning disability is different for everyone. No two people are the same.
A person with a learning disability might have some difficulty:
- understanding complicated information
- learning some skills
- looking after themselves or living alone
A learning disability is different for everyone. Lots of people who have a learning disability can work, have relationships, live alone and get qualifications.
Other people might need more support throughout their life.
Doctors and other health workers might be able to tell if a person has a learning disability when they are very young. But some people get a diagnosis later in their lives. This can be when they are adults
If you are diagnosed with a learning disability, you might be referred to other health professionals to get the support you need.
Annual Health Checks
People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people. This does not need to be the case.
It is important that everyone over the age of 14 who is on their doctor’s learning disability register has an annual health check.
An annual health check can help you stay well by talking to a doctor or nurse about your health and finding any problems early, so they can be sorted out.
You do not have to be ill to have a health check – in fact, most people have their annual health check when they are feeling well.
If you are worried about seeing a doctor, or there is anything they can do to make your appointment better, let the doctor or nurse know.
They can make changes to help you. These are called reasonable adjustments.
Preparing for your Health Check can be fun! To view our Health Check activity pack please click link below!
Please see below videos for further support regarding, induction and preparation to Annual Health Checks
Introduction to Annual Health Checks for people with a Learning Disability – Bing video
Health Action Plans to support people with a learning disability – Bing video
Screening Programmes
Cancer screening means having special tests to make sure cancer is found early and you get treatment as soon as possible. For further information on screening click the links below.
Cervical Screening
CSP05_an_easy_guide_to_cervical_screening.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
ISL040 14 Smear Tests EasyRead (jostrust.org.uk)
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
AAA screening easy guide (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Your abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening appointment – YouTube
Breast screening
Easy_guide_to_breast_screening.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Do The Test – GO FOR IT! – Bing video
Bowel screening
BCSP_FIT_easy_read_final.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Bowel screening instructional video for people with learning disabilities – YouTube
Useful Links
