NHS Learning Disability Screening Tool for Children and Young People

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Helping to identify children/young people who may have a learning disability.

NHS learning disability screening tool

What is a learning disability?

Watch this short Mencap video to learn more about what a learning disability is.

You can also find more information on the Mencap website – What Is a Learning Disability?

The Learning Disability Screening Tool

The Learning Disability Screening Tool is a short questionnaire designed to help identify whether a child or young person aged 6 to 18 may have a learning disability.

What the tool can’t do:

  • It cannot confirm whether a child or young person definitely has a learning disability.
  • It does not diagnose any specific type of learning disability.

This tool was developed by NHS clinicians using feedback from families.

Why use the tool?

Services understand how challenging it can be for families to access the right support. This tool helps with early identification, so that children, young people, and their families can get the right support as soon as possible.

If the results suggest a learning disability, this can help to:

  • identify which services may be helpful
  • support your child’s GP to add them to the Children’s Disability Register

Who can use the tool?

The tool can be used by:

  • young people themselves
  • parents and carers
  • family members
  • professionals such as nurses, teachers, social workers, and GPs

You can complete the tool with or on behalf of a child or young person.

Please note: The tool is only suitable for children and young people aged 6 to 18 years.

Always speak to a professional, such as your GP, for a full assessment.

What happens after you complete the tool?

You’ll receive one of two possible outcomes:

Outcome 1

The answers suggest the child or young person may have a learning disability.

Next steps:

  • Speak to the child or young person’s GP for further support and a professional assessment.
  • Contact the school nurse and SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) for help at school.

You can also ask the GP to:

  • add your child or young person to the Children’s Learning Disability Register
  • arrange an Annual Health Check

Outcome 2

The answers suggest the child or young person is unlikely to have a learning disability.

If you still have concerns, speak to:

  • your GP
  • the school nurse
  • the school’s SENCO 

Useful links

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