Learning Disabilities Care
Award-winning, person-centred care and support for people with learning disabilities, autism or acquired brain injury.
With a focus on individually-tailored learning disability care and positive behaviour support, the Realise team help individuals to build the skills and confidence they need for independent daily living.
A person-centred approach to learning disabilities care and support.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to caring for people with learning disabilities, autism or acquired brain injury, which is why a person-centred approach is so important. Working alongside other health professionals, care organisations and local authorities as appropriate, the Realise team provide tailored learning disability support in the individual’s own home, helping them to identify and achieve their ambitions for a more independent daily life; one where they are more in control of their life choices, and able to better communicate their needs and preferences.
Get to know the Realise team, and meet some of the people they support.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a lifelong condition which limits intellectual ability and impacts everyday activities. People with a learning disability may take longer to learn things, and may need to support to build life skills, socialise or understand complex information.
Although not always diagnosed until later, a learning disability occurs whilst the brain is still developing, for example as a result of pregnancy or birth complications, an individual’s genetic makeup, or early childhood illness or injury.
How many people in the UK have a learning disability?
According to the UK charity, Mencap, 1.5million people in the UK have a learning disability.
A learning disability (which affects the individual’s overall intellectual ability) is different to a learning difficulty (which affects the individual’s ability to perform a certain task). For example, a person could be diagnosed with dyslexia as they have difficulties with reading, writing or spelling, but a very high overall level of intellect. They therefore have a learning difficulty (dyslexia), but not a learning disability.
How to support people with learning disabilities
Care for learning disabilities can take many forms, dependent upon the individual’s living situation, support requirements, preferences and ambitions.
The Realise team support over-18s who have lifelong learning disabilities or autism (regardless of when these were diagnosed), or have an acquired brain injury (as a result of trauma, injury or illness). They are also able to support those with a dual diagnosis, for example, individuals who live with epilepsy, mental health challenges or dementia alongside their primary learning disability diagnosis.
Through the provision of specialist learning disability care, the Realise team support people to:
- Learn skills to live more independently – this can range from learning to make a cup of tea, to understanding how to budget for household bills and manage their own home.
- Gain relevant employment and voluntary opportunities – forging links with their local community, using their skills and building confidence.
- Safely navigate a period of personal crisis through the provision of short-term emergency support – for instance if a family member is no longer able to provide support, an accommodation tenancy has come to an end, or the individual’s mental health has deteriorated.
- Make the move from a long-term hospital stay to living in their own home with the support they need – supporting individuals to reclaim their independence and quality of life through positive risk taking and tailored transformative care.
- Be empowered to overcome behaviours which challenge, and enabled to make choices and communicate their preferences – using assistive technology and communication methods which meet their needs, such as British Sign Language or image cards.
- Make the transition from child to adult care services when they turn 18 – offering support for learning disabilities which is available for the whole of their adult life.
- Live a full and fulfilling life, every day – combining specialist palliative care and learning disabilities support where needed, to make the most of every precious second.
- Feel seen and recognised as a person, not a diagnosis – using proactive, positive behaviour support to understand the individual and help them to live the life they choose.
Discover transforming learning disabilities care which empowers and enables
To find out more about accessing bespoke, transforming care for learning disabilities and autism, along with expert acquired brain injury support, please get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team, who will be happy to support you.
