Learning Disability Week

Mencap, who host Learning Disability Week, define as:

'A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example, household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.

People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complicated information and interact with other people.'

Emily, 23, was diagnosed with Dyslexia at the age of 8, and throughout her early childhood struggled in learning environments, where fast-paced atmospheres can often be overwhelming with tasks involving words and language.

Throughout her experiences, there have been times when she has felt a lack of compassion for her disability and highlighted the
lack of understanding that people may have with their perception
of what it means to have Dyslexia.

Assumptions and common misconceptions people may make are that people with dyslexia just see patterns on pages, and have difficulty with just reading and spelling - Dyslexia is more than that.

Emily believes “Dyslexia can be my biggest weakness but also my greatest strength”.

She feels that in some instances, her experience with Dyslexia has hindered her learning, however, there are a plethora of strengths she has encountered such as her enhanced problem-solving skills, as individuals with dyslexia are often skilled at finding alternative solutions to problems.

 Emily also has an increased creativity flow, where she can often think outside the box and come up with unique solutions.

Recently, more and more people are now receiving the help and understanding that they need, where they are now receiving the appropriate diagnosis and gaining necessary assistance for their learning disability.

Children may feel a little frustrated and embarrassed about their Dyslexia, so it is vitally important for them to be provided with an opportunity for emotional support, celebrate their strengths, and reiterate that Dyslexia is not linked to intelligence levels.
 

 Thomas' Story with Autism

Thomas, 35, was diagnosed with Autism at 3 years old, and growing up he found things seemed to be a lot tougher to make sense of in the world.

'Simple things that seemed easy for others were a struggle for me. Noises, lights, and even the feeling of certain textures would overwhelm me and make me want to retreat into my own little bubble.' 

Communication had always been a challenge for Thomas. 'It's like I have so much to say, but the words get jumbled up in my head and can't find their way out.'

Thomas found it difficult to understand the hidden rules of social interactions. People's facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice were like a foreign language he couldn't decipher.

Thomas' school life was tough too. The noisy classrooms, bright lights, and crowded hallways often overwhelmed his senses.

As he got older, new challenges emerged. The pressure to be independent and find a job was immense.

But amidst all the hardships, there were moments of triumph. Thomas learned to embrace his unique perspective and the strengths that come with being autistic.

'My attention to detail and ability to think differently became assets in certain areas. I found solace in my hobbies and passions, like art and writing, where I could express myself freely.'

There are still days when he feels overwhelmed and misunderstood. However, has also come to appreciate the beauty of his neurodiversity.

'I may face difficulties that others don't, but I also see the world in a way that's rich and colourful. And in those moments of connection, when I find someone who understands and accepts me for who I am, I know that the challenges are worth it.'