Get ready for Learning Disability Week 2021!
For many people with a learning disability and their families, getting creative has been a way to stay connected and positive through the challenges of last year.
We know that people with a learning disability are up to twice as likely to experience mental health problems, due to many factors like discrimination and social isolation.
This year the week of 14-20 June is assigned for Learning Disability Week with the focus being on Art and Creativity. This focus rises from the way this method has been utilised over the difficulties of the last year and in particular and has helped with positive mind sets for families as they struggled to replace other activities. Mencap is at the forefront of Learning Disabilities in the UK and the leading light for this week. They report that those with learning disabilities are not only twice as likely to experience mental health problems but also more likely to have other LTHC’s which can be difficult to manage. There are 1.5 Million people in the UK who live with a learning Disability.
Similar to mental health problems, learning disabilities can often be attached with stigma and misunderstanding. This can lead to discrimination and reduced social interaction and opportunities. Let’s try to dispel some of those and promote the positive opportunities for inclusion in today’s society, whilst recognising the need for understanding, communication and the openness to allow equal opportunities for all.
Mencap has defined a learning disability 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’. (https://www.mencap.org.uk/learning-disability-explained/what-learning-disability)
Within this are specific conditions and they report further that;
‘Learning Disability is often confused with learning difficulties such as Dyslexia and ADHD. Menace describes dyslexia as a ’learning difficulty', because unlike learning disability, it does not affect intellect’ (https://www.mencap.org.uk/learning-disability-explained/what-learning-disability)
Learning Disabilities & Other LTHC’s
Like many with Disabilities, people often have other medical conditions to manage. With Learning Disabilities some common associations are Autism/Aspergers, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Williams Syndrome. Therefore, making life far more challenging and confusing in our ever changing society of rules and regulations, lockdowns and re-openings. On hand to support is Mencap and they will be our main resource. There’s some great additional content on Corona Virus specifically and is covered in detail with advice for People with Learning Disabilities and their families to Support workers, and Healthcare Professionals.
Creativity and what that means
Robert E. Franken states that:
Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognise ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. (page 396)(From Human Motivation, 3rd ed https://www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/creativity/define.htm)
Following on from this Dr Robert Muller states that There are Five Characteristics of Creativity which are;
Flexibility
Curiosity
Positive Attitude
Strong Motivation & Determination &
Fearfulness
Communication
Regardless of the activity, communication is going to be crucial when working with and supporting someone with a learning disability, and it could be easier than you think. Suggestions from Mencap include thinking about your tone of voice, body language, how you phrase a sentence, the pace at which you talk and ensuring that jargon and ‘slang’ words are removed. Isn’t that something that we should all be doing anyway? Something we would immediately link to say someone with hearing loss or someone that is blind? Transferable skills and not ones you need to develop specifically unless of course you wish to. In that case Communicating With Learning Disabilities has some great tips and a handy video for those who prefer visual learning.
The handy list below has great links to some websites recommended by Mencap to support those who struggle with spoken word or need additional support;
Signalong and Makaton (both Sign Supported English systems). They are based on British Sign Language (BSL), but are used to support the spoken word.
Visit the British Deaf Association website to find out more about BSL.
Talking Mats are a communication system that uses symbols and other images.
Widget produce software symbols to help with communication and accessibility.
Symbol World is a website run by Widget for symbol users that includes nursery rhymes, stories and a monthly magazine.
The Advice and Support page includes;
1. Everyday Living
2. Friendships and Relationships
3. Early Years & Children &
4. Health and well Being.
Here you’ll find some more general advice and information about daily living and links to other organisations that support all aspects of life including Leisure, Housing, supported living and respite care.
Activities That Apply To The Theme
Let’s get back to being creative and what that means in practice. Ways To Keep Busy is an incredible resource. This is split into 4 easy to follow sections;
Weekly & Daily Activity Resources
Create, Craft & Play
Exercise & Learning New Skills
Mental Wellbeing Exercises
Each section comes with downloadable PDF formatted documents with the goal of adding a clear structure to the day through activities that will support all-round health and well being. You can unravel all sorts here including weekly, daily and food logs, colouring cards, garden activity packs, round the world challenges and mindfulness all in one easy to access page. Each activity is bright, colourful, easy to understand and filled with fun, supportive ideas that are easily accessible. The choice available also means that you’ll be able to find some age related activities as well.
Transferable Knowledge/Summary
Although we have focused on those with Learning Disabilities these resources are great for anyone with LTHC’s, especially children and young adults. Essentially it’s all about taking each person as an individual and applying the appropriate guidance, communication skills, support levels and variety of strategies, understanding and emotional welfare of all concerned. With all that is in place and the right promotion then surely this can only be a good thing.
If you require more information you can call the Mencap Helpline on; 0808 808 1111.
Or you can email helpline@mencap.org.uk or complete this Online Form.
They can provide expert knowledge and support in areas such as;
Advocacy
Education
Events
Funding
Housing
Holidays
Mencap local groups
Relationships
Services
Support.
The team at Time To Heal hope you have found this to be informative and supportive in interacting with and allowing access to equal opportunities in everyday life and into the sport/exercise environment for those with Learning Disabilities. We wish you well and stay well, stay safe.
Important Links
Mencap - Getting Involve In Learning Disability Week
Learning Disability Explained
What Is A learning Disability?
Communicating With People With a learning Disability
CORONA Virus Support Page
Ways To Keep Busy
Online Information Form
Signalong
Makaton
British Deaf Association
Talking Mats
Widget
Symbol world
Five Characteristics of Creativity
Coming up next time…
Father & Son - Happy Father’s day!
Can We use This Day To Improve Mental Health and Well-being?
How can those with LTHC’s /Disabilities connect with and support each other?