How to support players with a learning disability
Here, we explain what a learning disability is and how coaches can support players who have one.
What is a learning disability?
When someone has a learning disability, they don’t have the same intellectual ability as most people. They find everyday activities, like household tasks, socialising and managing money, difficult.
A learning disability isn’t something that can be cured. It lasts a lifetime.
What are the characteristics of a learning disability?
You can’t always tell if someone has a learning disability just from looking at them. And there are different levels of learning disability. They range from mild to profound.
In sport, these are the signs used to decide if someone has a learning disability:
- The person finds it difficult to cope with everyday life on their own. They might have problems communicating. Or they might struggle to care for themselves.
- Their score on IQ tests is lower than average. Generally, it must be 75 or below to be called a learning disability.
- The learning disability started before the age of 18.
Sometimes, people with a learning disability have poor physical fitness. They might find it hard to control movement, too. This may be because they’ve not had much chance to play sports or exercise.
And they can be more likely to get into accidents. This is because they may not be as aware of danger or are unsure of how to react to it.
Some people with a learning disability also have epilepsy. That means they suffer from seizures. Check that you know what to do if they have one.
These are just a few key differences that we’ve highlighted. So, if you want to find out more, download this PDF. It has loads of key information and tips to help you support players with a learning disability.
But remember, no two people with a learning disability are the same. Get to know them. Understand what motivates them. Find out how their condition affects them and what support they might need.
