Hidden disability

[Tacman]

my daughter who is 19 now was diagnosed with learning disabilities. She has petite mal and when she was 14 was diagnosed with Global Development Delay. This was a very late diagnosis by her school for GDD. She goes to college but really struggles because there are some very difficult characters in her small class. Before college her previous school, which was a specialist school, failed her terribly. Whilst there she was bullied by 2 other girls who are now at her college. She is such a lovely person and my wife and I worry so much. She does not make friends easily so has no one she can talk to. We have tried joining groups for persons with learning disabilities but she says that the people who attend have disabilities that everyone can see and she does not fit in. When you see her in the street you would not know that she has a disability until you talk to her. She is nervous and lacks confidence. She often says that she feels left out because of her hidden disability.

This is my question, are there groups in Suffolk/Norfolk that we could join that have activities for young people with hidden disability?

[Jofisher]

speak to your local district council as they will know many groups and activities that they can suggest, also contact your local community voluntary services as they will be able to help you and the carers association. I would also ask why your social worker isn’t supporting you with all this stuff I wish you luck and please ask any other questions and let us know how you got on.

[Tacman in reply to Jofisher]

thanks for responding. I forgot to mention that she also has severe dislexia and discalcula.

[Jofisher in reply to Tacman]

speak to the same peopleI gave you as they will be able to give you lots of advice

[Tacman in reply to Jofisher]

we don’t have a social worker!

[Gran3 in reply to Tacman]

You'll be lucky to get one nowadays, however, there should be a Duty Social Worker, who can take details and should help.

[Edge30]

Hi my daughter is the same in every way she 25 now but everything your saying is the same with her she only got put on pip last year after years of no for it and as for help I have looked and done everything from young age to get her help there is nothing out there that I know of if anyone does know of anything please let me know put I have asked and looked and all I'm told is there is nothing for that disabilities really sad

[Tacman in reply to Edge30]

thanks for your response.

[Library-girl]

hi unfortunately I am not from your area but would second jofisher. I did want to reach out to you and say I feel similarly about my 22 year old son he struggles desperately to make friends and connect to others - hope everything works out

[Mrs_Teddy]

Hi, apologies if you have already tried them but maybe SENDIASS can help? suffolksendiass.co.uk/

[Mybestfriends]

Hi, exactly the same for my now 33yrs old Son, Make sure your Registered Carer with your Gp,contact your local Council etc as JoFisher said. Your can also have Social Worker, search Groups that are most suited to your Daughter, eg non visual. Swimming, Masking are all Words of behaviours, unwanted behaviours in some will come up too in any Group, as all will have some degree of LD, & Difficulties, it's what one's are except able to her & walk away if not, approach a Worker for Support. My Son won't atm do Groups. He has an STR from AMHT, who gets him out, every 2/3 weeks, bike ride or whatever. He is Lonely, & been hurt, bullied, abused in past therefore very Vulnerable & needs to be with good likeminded people, keep searching.

[MadsMum]

oh this is so like my 20 year old daughter whose diagnoses is an Intellectual disability. We’ve moved from Australia and desperate to find her likeminded friends. We’re in North London and as we’re not familiar with the system here finding it even harder to just know where to start. She is not eligible for govt funding of any sort here which is fine. I just wish we could connect with others her age who are similar. She’s very social but quite young & naive and people think she’s 15 or 16.

Anyway I feel you anxieties. It’s quite hard as I too would say hers is a hidden disability.

[Gran3 in reply to MadsMum]

Speak to the National Autistic Society (NAS), Childrenand Learning Disability Service (CLMS), and local Carers Centre, they have/know of some social groups in North London. Be specific, about which area

NAS have a magazine called Spectrum, which is for those with Asperger (ie. verbal and no learning disabilities). They have a 'Meet a friend' kind of matching Service.

[Clouds12]

hi I feel for you so much, my son is 35 with moderate learning disability he struggles to make friends and connections and your daughter’s story is very much like my son’s, you sound wonderful caring parents and I hope your daughter finds her happiness in life.