What is a Learning Disability?
A person (adult/child or young person) who has been given a diagnosis of having a learning disability will have an I.Q. of less than 70. They will also experience substantial problems coping with everyday life.
This condition has to start before the 18th birthday. A person will be diagnosed as having a learning disability following an assessment.
What is Available?
For Adults:
Social work support and assessment for services is provided by the Adult Community Care Team.
Specialist Health support is provided by the clinical team within the Community Support Team.
For Children:
Social work support and assessment for services is provided by the Children with Disabilities Team.
For Carers:
Carers for people with Learning Disabilities can have an assessment in their own right and may be able to have services to help them continue to care.
Please refer to the 'See Also' links on the right hand side regarding Needs Assessment by Social Services.
Please contact the Duty Officer for further information:
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Post Office Lane
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 8BG
Telephone: 01685 724500
Fax: 01685 370198
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What are Autistic Spectrum Disorders?
Autism is often the short hand name given to a wide “spectrum” of disorders, which include Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism (HFA). Whatever term is used similar approaches are needed.
Autism affects around 1 in 100 people in very different ways. Some can live typical and independent lives, form relationships and have children, while others will always need specialist support. All will, however, have some difficulty in the following three areas:
- Social communication;
- Social interaction;
- Social imagination.
Getting Support.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has an ASD Co–ordinator who can offer individuals with ASD and their families information and advice.
Social Services can also assess the individual’s needs and deliver services and/or sign post to services as appropriate.
Individuals needing support
We want to make sure that individuals who are on the autistic spectrum and their families have the support they need.
For advice and help about education for children with autistic spectrum disorders, please see our Additional Learning Needs page.
Children looking for support
Children with autism may be assessed for support by link to children social services.
Adults looking for support
Autism is a lifelong development disability. Adults with autism may be assessed for support by Adult Social Services.
Support Clubs
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council work with a number of support groups to provide good quality care for children and adults.
Where can I find more information?
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is keen to provide information about organisations that can help you. However, we do not endorse any organisations nor do we take responsibility for any content on their website's.
Please see the External Links section of this page for useful links.
