Love, Learning Disabilities and Pockets of Brilliance

How Practitioners Can Make a Difference to the Lives of Children, Families and Adults

This is a book written to celebrate the humanity of people, and to share experiences of what brilliant care and support can look like for families with learning disabled or autistic children and adults.

Sara Ryan steers clear of jargon and 'doublespeak' to conjure authentic experiences of families. Speaking with families and professionals, she conveys the love, laughter and joy which binds families and the harsh realities many face; of separation from loved ones, substandard care and frustration and helplessness in the face of inflexible services. From their experiences, Sara looks to capture those pockets of brilliance that families have encountered, and which outstanding practitioners have pioneered, for us all to learn from.

We know so much about what support and services should look like in order to enable flourishing lives - this book aims to help families and professionals to achieve it, together.