Learning Disability and Autism Awareness

Learning Disability affects ability to understand new or complex information and to cope independently. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Some people with a learning disability are also autistic.

People with a learning disability and autistic people are known to experience health inequality, poor experience with healthcare services and inappropriate prescribing, and some studies have shown increased likelihood of early death at up to 20 years younger than the general population. Many of these early deaths are thought to be largely preventable.

This pharmacy guide will cover a range of practical issues to raise awareness about the needs of people with a learning disability and autistic people, as well as highlighting resources to enable all pharmacy teams to improve, and prioritise, their service for these groups of people.

This information should be applicable to a range of pharmacy professionals based on their level of understanding, competence and experience in the field of learning disability. It covers issues related to medicine supply, and management, as well as more specialised services looking at delivering structured medication reviews and deprescribing work linked to the STOMP and STAMP (Over-prescribing) agenda. There is something applicable to all sectors of pharmacy practice.

The resources focus on quality-of-life improvement and the reduction in inequality through good medicine management and optimisation. All pharmacy practitioners can utilise the resources to improve their practice and services to people with a learning disability, autistic people, their families and carers.