What Profound and Multiple Learning Disability is- and How It Has Affected Our Lives
What Profound and Multiple Learning Disability Is — and How It Has Affected Our Lives
Hi everyone, and welcome back. Today I wanted to write about something very close to my heart: profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD). It’s a term that sounds big and clinical, but for us, it’s not just a label — it’s part of our everyday life with A.
What PMLD Means
Put simply, PMLD means that a person has more than one significant disability. For children like A, this usually means:
They have profound learning difficulties.
They may also have additional physical or sensory needs.
They need support with every part of daily life.
No two children with PMLD are exactly the same. Each one is unique, with their own personality, quirks, and strengths. It’s easy to get lost in the medical words, but at the end of the day, children with PMLD are still children first — deserving of joy, play, love, and celebration.
Our Experience with PMLD
When we first heard the words “profound and multiple learning disability,” it felt overwhelming. Like many parents in this situation, I went through so many emotions — shock, sadness, fear, confusion. But alongside those feelings came determination and a fierce kind of love I didn’t know I was capable of.
Our daily life looks different from many families. There are endless appointments, therapies, and forms. Routines take time, and sometimes even the smallest task requires planning and patience. But A teaches me every single day that progress is not about how fast or how far — it’s about noticing and celebrating the little steps forward.
How It Has Affected Our Lives
I won’t pretend it’s always easy. Parenting a child with PMLD means carrying worries for the future that sometimes feel heavy. It means exhaustion, advocating constantly, and learning how to keep going even on the tough days.
But it has also brought us so much joy. We celebrate milestones others might overlook. We’ve learned to live more slowly, to notice the details, to appreciate what really matters. A has made us stronger, more compassionate, and more grateful.
What I Wish People Knew
If there’s one thing I wish people understood, it’s this: children with PMLD are not defined by their disability. They have personalities, preferences, and so much love to give. They may need help in every part of their lives, but they also bring joy in every part of ours.
Progress may look different for A, but every smile, every sound, every moment of connection is a victory worth celebrating. What families like ours need most is not pity, but understanding, acceptance, and kindness.
Closing Thoughts
Living with PMLD is a journey filled with challenges, but also with incredible love and unexpected beauty. A has changed my life in ways I could never have imagined, and while I never would have chosen this path, I am endlessly grateful for everything A teaches me.
To any other parents walking a similar road: you’re not alone. Our stories matter, our children/ Young Adults matter, and together, we can keep finding strength in small steps. 💛