College & life: helping students with learning disabilities

Learning disabilities can present unique challenges for young adults trying to navigate college and daily life.

As of 2011, it’s estimated that in England in 2011, 1,191,000 people have a learning disability. This includes 905,000 adults 18 and over. (Source: People with Learning Disabilities in England 2011).

At InFocus, we believe in providing support to those with learning disabilities, so they can thrive both in and out of the classroom. Our team of skilled professionals is always ready to offer guidance and support for any learning disability-related concerns. Learn more about how we can help you or your child.

What do we mean by a learning disability?

A learning disability is an impairment in one or more areas of cognitive ability, which affects how people learn, remember information, communicate, think, and behave.

It can be caused by brain damage, injury, genetic factors, or other issues, such as hearing loss or visual impairment.

Some people struggle with reading, writing or maths; others find it hard to concentrate or remember things.

There are lots of different learning disabilities and difficulties, such as:

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
Asperger syndrome
Visual impairment
Hearing loss
Down’s Syndrome
Cerebral palsy
Tourette’s Syndrome
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Dyslexia

How do learning difficulties impact daily life?

Learning difficulties can make everyday tasks difficult. They can also cause problems at school, work and home. Students with disabilities often have poor communication skills and need extra time to understand instructions and follow directions.

They may not always know what they don’t know, which can lead to frustration and anxiety.

Furthermore, they may have difficulty remembering names, numbers and appointments, and other important details. Learning disabilities can also affect a person’s ability to perform daily tasks like cooking, cleaning and shopping.

People with learning disabilities can face problems, including:

Difficulty understanding instructions
Difficulties paying attention
Struggling to solving problems
Poor memory
Lack of confidence in social situations

Lots of people with learning impairments are still able to work, have relationships and lead independent lives. However, many also need extra support at home, school, and in their community.

We know that there are plenty of different ways to support someone with a learning difficulty. Which means our service will always be tailored to individual needs.

What services do we offer for students with learning disabilities?

We help our young people deal with a learning disability in several ways. Our goal is to teach them about the world around them, make sure they’re safe and well looked after. With this, they can receive the support they need to live a happy and fulfilling life.

No two people are the same, so there isn’t always a simple solution to problems like this. But by working together, we can help make sure no one faces barriers to getting the support they deserve.

At InFocus, we provide support for adults with learning disabilities, such as:

Specialist curriculum – to meet the needs of learners with specific learning difficulties
Mobility and habilitation training – to enable young adults with learning disabilities to access mainstream education
Speech & Language therapy – to improve communication skills
Braille and Access Technology – to allow those with visual impairments to read and write
Occupational Therapy – to help young adults with learning disabilities develop practical skills
Specialist Facilities – includes hydrotherapy pools, swimming pools, sensory rooms, outdoor learning centre & radio station. Learn more about our specialist facilities.

We also provide adult residential care with nursing support, aiming to support independence and develop daily living skills. Our site in Exeter has everything to help young people feel right at home.

Specialist Curriculum

Our specialist curriculum focuses on 5 key areas of learning. Each is designed to help develop life skills for young adults with learning disabilities:

Basic life skills – for embracing life to the fullest:

Enhancing communication skills, literacy, numeracy and ICT
Using technology to enhance daily life
Maximising functional vision

Social and Community – for living healthy and happy lives:

following passions and doing things you enjoy
enjoying relationships with family and friends and meeting new people
breaking down barriers associated with disability

Voice and Choice – decide for yourself:

using their voice about things that matter to them
making choices about all aspects of life to the fullest possible extent
understanding money and managing finances
living a healthy life and managing relationships

Independence – for maximising daily living skills:

living as independently with the right level of support
developing resilience and self-care routines
travelling within your community

Work – for developing a meaningful occupation:

learning the skills to thrive in a workplace or volunteer role
experiencing work and volunteering placements
being valued and active citizens in the community with a sense of purpose

How do you develop daily living skills?

We focus on a range of aspects of daily living, such as:

Personal activities of daily living skills, such as dressing, personal grooming, and hygiene.
Domestic living skills – such as meal planning, healthy eating, food preparation, and cleaning.
Rest and sleep activities – such as developing healthy sleeping habits.
Play and leisure activities – which can include physical exercise or creative hobbies.
Social interaction – which can include attending social events and learning social skills.

Why is routine important for young adults with learning disabilities?

Routine is an important part of life for students with learning disabilities. Establishing a routine can help them become more independent, as well as provide structure and stability in their lives. It also allows them to understand how daily tasks fit together and builds confidence in completing activities.

It can include daily tasks, such as getting dressed, brushing teeth, eating meals, and taking walks. Or more complex activities, such as making phone calls, shopping and learning how to cook.

Establishing a routine can help provide structure and stability in life and build independent living skills.

Visit our specialist college

Supporting adults with learning disabilities means helping them to learn how to cope with everyday challenges.

We know that some people with a learning disability may not always get the help they need from other services. This means that they might miss out on opportunities for training, education or employment.

If your young person has a learning disability, talk to us about getting help at the InFocus Specialist College.

Our staff will listen carefully to you and your young person, and if necessary, arrange an appointment with our specialist team. They’ll then be able to assess whether we can support you.