A learning disability is a disability that affects the way a person learns new things not just at school but in any area of life. It affects the way people process information and how they communicate. This means they can have difficulty:

• In understanding new or complex information
• In learning new skills
• In coping independently

A learning disability can be mild, moderate or severe.  People with a mild learning disability can communicate easily and look after themselves, but take much time than usual to learn new skills. Others having severe problems may not be able to communicate at all and can have more than one disability.