Learning Disabilities and Autism Service

A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability, usually identified soon after birth or in the early years, and will last a person’s whole life.

Many people with a learning disability, may find everyday activities challenging – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money. Other people with a learning disability need to be fully supported in all areas of their life, including communicating, personal care, and staying safe.

They are likely to take longer to learn and need support to develop new skills, understand information or interact with other people.

Although a learning disability is permanent, many people can develop new skills throughout their lives. And, of course, societies and communities can change to be more inclusive. With the right support and an inclusive community, people with a learning disability can thrive.

(Mencap, 2025)

https://www.mencap.org.uk/learning-disability-explained/what-learning-disability

Autism influences how people experience and interact with the world. It is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability. Autistic people are different from each other, but for a diagnosis they must share differences from non-autistic people in how they think, feel and communicate.

Being autistic means you may feel things and react to them differently to non-autistic people. You may find socialising confusing or tiring, and you may become overwhelmed in loud or busy places. You may have intense interests, prefer order and routine, and use repeated movements or actions to calm yourself or express joy. You might mask your discomfort to fit in, which can lead to mental illness.

(National Autistic Society, 2025)

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism

Reasonable adjustments are a legal requirement to ensure healthcare settings are accessible to all. (Equality Act 2010)

Often, the adjustments are small but can make a big difference to the care received. With these adjustments in place, we know that patients are more likely to receive appropriate care, to support their health needs.

Reasonable adjustments are personalised to every individual, please ensure staff are aware of any needs and if unsure, please ask what adjustments can be made.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/improving-health/reasonable-adjustments/

A completed hospital passport can help staff to support you by providing lots of useful information about any communication, anxieties, likes and dislikes you may have.

We encourage you to complete a hospital passport and bring it with you to share with the hospital staff if you are coming into hospital for an admission or attending an outpatient appointment.

You can also send it to the Learning Disability and Autism team via email for them to upload to your records.

Resources:

• MFT Learning Disability Passport
• A&E One Page Profile
• National Autistic Society – My Health Passport