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Anxiety

Anxiety is a type of fear usually associated with the thought of a threat or something going wrong in the future, but can also arise from something happening right now. Around 1 in 6 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem like anxiety each year, a figure which has steadily increased over the past 20 years.

Asperger syndrome

Asperger syndrome is part of the autistic spectrum. Having an autistic spectrum disorder means that someone has difficulties in the areas of social interaction, communication and imagination.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a learning difficulty caused by a neurobehavioural disorder, and is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children.

Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe a number of symptoms and behaviours which affect the way in which a group of people understand and react to the world around them.

Benefits

Many people with a learning disability and their families may be entitled to benefits to help support them with everyday life expenses. There are a wide variety of benefits available.

Bereavement

Coming to terms with the death of a loved one can be very difficult, as it can stir up a whole range of complicated feelings. People often move between denial, anger, grief and confusion before acceptance is reached.

Cerebral Palsy

What is Cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy is a physical condition affecting muscle control and movement. It is usually caused by damage to the brain before, during or shortly after birth. Causes can be complex, and as a result doctors are often unable to give a specific reason for the condition. However, for 80% of those affected, the damage to the brain happened while the baby was growing in the womb. Factors include genetic problems, malformations of the brain, and maternal infection such as rubella or toxoplasmosis. Cerebral palsy cannot currently be screened before birth. There are three...

Challenging Behaviour

In his book, Challenging Behaviour , Eric Emerson defines challenging behaviour as: “Culturally abnormal behaviour(s) of such an intensity, frequency or duration that the physical safety of the person or others is likely to be placed in serious jeopardy, or behaviour which is likely to seriously limit use of, or result in the person being denied access to, ordinary community facilities”

Children and young people

Learning disabilities affect an estimated 286,000 under-18s (180,000 boys, 106,000 girls) in the UK. They can vary from what are considered ‘mild’ learning disabilities to more complex learning disabilities.

Circles of support and circles of friends

Circles were developed to support individuals to become reconnected in the community, and to make friendships and relationships.