Learning Disability Awareness Martin Lees & Sean Walsh

Aims of this session: To understand what Learning Disability is and what impact it may have on a persons ability to learn, apply knowledge and develop skills in a sporting environment. Any other specific Aims from you?

Learning outcomes for this session: By the end of this session you will be able to: Know how to engage and communicate with people who have a Learning Disability. Develop accessible sessions / training programmes to include individuals with a Learning Disability To know where to go for further support in understanding Learning Disability.

Learning Disability Myths A person with a Learning disability can not learn. Learning Difficulties, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions are the same. A person with a Learning Disability will not accept change. A person with a Learning Disability has “Challenging Behaviour”.

Mencap’s Definition of Learning Disability What is a learning disability? Our definition 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.

What is a Learning Disability A person with a Learning Disability has an impairment of the brain. Which means at times a persons capacity to make decisions may be in doubt. (Please see sign posting slides for Mental Capacity Act and contact Martin Lees to access Easy Read Guide for People with a Learning Disability to be active) It can be difficult to diagnose a mild learning disability as the individual will often mix well with others and will be able to cope with most everyday tasks. People with a moderate learning disability may need more support with communication. In relation to sport this may mean to take more time to get to know the persons specifics learning needs/preferences, preferred communicational aids, individuals coping mechanisms and their ability to process information. Sometimes a person may adopt certain techniques to help process information, which may be seen as “challenging behaviour” or repetitive behaviour.

What is a Learning Disability Continued Learning disability is often confused with dyslexia and mental health problems. Mencap describes dyslexia as a “learning difficulty” because, unlike learning disability, it does not affect intellect. Although Mencap’s definition of Learning Disability does not include learning difficulties. It is still important to acknowledge a persons learning difficulty and get to know them and their specific learning needs, such as creating easy read documents or red tint backgrounds on written programmes for individuals with Dyslexia.

Difference in Learning A person with a Learning Disability may have difficulty processing information and applying newly learned skills. For some people too much information can be overloading. It may take more time to find a persons learning style and due to the persons individual ability to process new information you may have to break it down to smaller easier to understand tasks. (Do not assume a persons ability, ask them, work with them) Top Tips A recommended coaching style would be to work with the whole part whole method of learning

Adam Edwards “Getting exercise makes me feel better, and it makes me feel better about myself. It helps me focus, and lose a bit of weight. I’d rather be fit and healthy rather than feel lazy and sluggish”

Communication A communicational barrier is an obstacle in place which prevents the effective exchange of information. A person may already have additional tools to facilitate communication. A person may have information processing techniques such as repetition or mimicking. Facilitate their learning style. (this sometimes may appear that the person is not paying attention). Top Tips Where possible get to know the persons specific needs in advance of any sessions. Allow time to process information. Work with the person and use a variety of communication tools until you find one which works. Build on the relationship and trust. Get to know what motivates the individual

Photosymbols Objects of Reference PECS Assistive Technology ‘Change’ Pictures Use Simple Words Makaton Common Communicational Tools Easy Read

Behaviour as Communication Sometimes an individual might communicate through their behaviour which could become challenging to the coach/ teacher and other learners. Try to identify triggers to behaviour and manage these carefully. This could be anxiety at learning, anxiety of meeting new people, social anxiety, frustration from being overloaded with information or pain/ discomfort. Look to calm the situation with diffusion, distraction and verbal calming strategies. (PBS training) Think about your own communication – body language, tone of voice etc. Be proactive - try to stop a situation from escalating to prevent from becoming more serious.

Any Questions????????

Signposting (Mencap Website) (although not specific to Learning Disability this is a useful site to improve and reflect on effective communication techniques used). act-1983/?gclid=CI2ey4mfwM0CFcSRGwodVBMC1A#.V2zvLdQrLeN (5 Principals of the Mental Capacity Act 2005) act-1983/?gclid=CI2ey4mfwM0CFcSRGwodVBMC1A#.V2zvLdQrLeN (British Institute of Learning Disabilities) (Special Olympics Resources Page)

Martin Lees (Mencap Sport) k k Feel free to contact Martin (Mencap) for: Easy Read Guide for People with a Learning Disability to be active. (based around choice and consent) How to develop Easy Read documents Mencap PBS (Positive Behavioural Support) Training 3 hour workshop on Learning Disability and Sport Any other queries