Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

Learning disabilities are commonly divided into 'mild', 'moderate', 'severe' and 'profound', but these categories are based on IQ and most UK health and social care services do not measure this. Therefore, this guideline uses the terms 'milder learning disabilities' (approximating to mild and moderate learning disabilities that are often defined as an IQ of 35 to 69 and impairment of adaptive functioning with onset in childhood) and 'more severe learning disabilities' (approximating to severe and profound learning disabilities that are often defined as an IQ of 34 or below with impairment of adaptive functioning with onset in childhood). All people with learning disabilities: - need additional support at school - need support in some areas of adult life, such as budgeting, planning, time management, and understanding complex information - need more time to learn new skills than people who don't have learning disabilities. Milder learning disabilities People with milder learning disabilities: - may be able to live independently and care for themselves, managing everyday tasks and working in paid employment - can often communicate their needs and wishes - may have some language skills - may have needs that are not clear to people who do not know them well. More severe learning disabilities People with more severe learning disabilities are more likely to: - need support with daily activities such as dressing, washing, food preparation, and keeping themselves safe - have limited or no verbal communication skills or understanding of others - need support with mobility - have complex health needs and sensory impairments.