Definition : A learning disability is a significant lifelong condition which is present prior to the age of eighteen and which has a significant effect on a person’s development. People with a learning disability will need more support than their peers to:

• understand new and/or complex information
• learn new skills and
• to lead independent lives

Learning disability does not include specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Purpose : This item will record whether a person has a learning disability.

It will show the current number of people in Scotland, known to services that have a learning disability. This will assist with service planning and potentially with epidemiological research.

Recording Guidance : Where a person has a learning disability and an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), they should be recorded as having a learning disability under this item and an ASD under the following item. Where a person has an ASD but no associated learning disability, this should be recorded as none for this item.

Codes : eSAY Project