Learning disabilities can be difficult to describe because they are different for everyone that has them. In general, a learning disability is a condition that makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.

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. 

• Conditions associated with learning disabilities
• What your GP can do
• Learning Disability Register
• Information, advice and support

Autism and Asperger’s syndrome

Down’s syndrome

Williams syndrome

Cerebral Palsy

Fragile X syndrome

Global Development Delay

Learning Disability Register

The learning disability register is a list of people who have a learning disability. Doctors use it to make sure that people with a learning disability get the right support in the right ways. Talk to your GP about joining the register.

You can ask to be added to the learning disability register by contacting your GP surgery. When talking to your GP, you could mention:

• Tell them how your learning disability affects you in your daily life
• Tell them about any disability benefits you receive
• Tell them if you have a social worker

To join the register, you do not:

• Have to take any tests
• Need to be receiving support from social services
• Have to receive any disability benefit payments