Learning Disability Week 2020: An Education for All
by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing ConsultantGaining
an education and developing skills to take into a career is something many
people may take for granted, but for those who have a learning disability,
there are often many hurdles to overcome along the way.
It
can be difficult to find the right support because some learning disabilities
can take years to be diagnosed. Even when you do find a network to aid your
child’s learning, the change to their environment can bring many obstacles,
including anxiety, frustration, and loneliness.
Having
a support network can be crucial to a young person’s education. As the UK’s
Covid-19 induced lockdown enters a fourth month, that time out of the classroom
and away from educational support could bring all these obstacles to the fore.
With
that in mind, The Royal Mencap Society, a UK-based charity that works with
people with a learning disability, has centered this year’s Learning Disability
Week — held 15th-21st June — around the importance of friendships during
lockdown.
Here,
we look at education for people with a learning disability and what support is
available.
What is a learning disability?
Learning
disabilities are quite varied but often refer to a reduced intellectual ability
and difficulty with everyday activities. Some learning disabilities are known
at birth, while others can develop over time.
People
with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to
learn new skills and develop social interactions. In the UK, it is estimated that 1.5 million people have a learning disability.
Mencap reports that approximately 351,000 children aged 0-17 are living with a
learning disability.
What support is there?
A
2018 report from the Department of Education said that 9.3 per cent of students
with special education needs (SEN) attended special schools. These schools were
originally set up following the 1944 Education Act, which created provision for
children with disabilities to receive ‘special education treatment’.
Special
schools differ in their specialisms, with four broad types outlined by the
government as communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social,
emotional and mental health, and sensory and physical needs.
A
higher ratio of staff ensures that pupils receive the support required for
their needs, with more teaching assistants also helping to meet the learners’
needs. While educational attainment is tracked at school, most will also focus
on developing life skills around socialising, job hunting, and extra-curricular
activities.
Disability
benefits are also offered by the government, but a 2018 report found that 56
per cent of families stated the benefits only partly covered the additional
costs of raising a disabled child. The Contact a Family survey reported that
one third of families claiming costs of more than £300 per month extra for
their disabled child.
Often
the assistance for children with learning disabilities falls short as they
enter adult life, but more colleges and universities are making the transition
from the teenage years much easier with dedicated support networks being
implemented.
At
Newcastle College, provision is made through a Learning Difficulties and Physical
Disabilities Team,
part of a bigger central support team that offers support for a range of
learning, physical and medical needs. It involves one to one support in class,
while trained learning support assistants are on hand for support between
lessons, and social spaces are provided for those who want them.
They
offer special exam considerations and support in finding accessible work
placements. Prospective students will undergo a support needs assessment with
regular reviews ensuring the support continues throughout their college
experience. A specialist transition and access team will also work with
students to aid their adaptation to college, with officers qualified in
providing personal care support, administering medication, and first aid.
Learning Disability in Lockdown
Life
in lockdown is one that has had a huge impact on the nation’s mental health.
That is the same for people with a learning disability. When schools and
colleges closed in mid-March, a network of support was cut off. In December,
Mencap announced that people with a learning disability are seven times more
likely than the general public to feel lonely.
This
was supported by the Office for National Statistics in April, which showed 8.3
per cent of adults with a disability reported often or always feeling lonely.
This is much higher than non-disabled adults at 3.6 per cent.
Mencap
is celebrating Learning Disability Week with an online campaign focused on
befriending others and celebrating connections through the #MencapFamily
hashtag. The campaign encourages people to share their experiences and
anxieties in lockdown. They are advised to make the most of virtual social
interactions at a time when they are not possible through educational means.
The
government have made huge strides in developing an education for all, and the
avenues for people with learning disabilities have grown rapidly. Of the 32,770
schools listed in the UK, 1,257 are special schools. A further 352 pupil
referral units —schools catering for children who are unable to attend
mainstream school, ensuring people who need additional support have the streams
to receive it.
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Created on Jun 25th 2020 07:49. Viewed 410 times.