Gus Garside, National arts development manager at Mencap, talks about some excellent things happening around the country that show how dynamic the world of learning disability arts has become...

It is true, at least it was for me, that you grow up quickly when you have to care for another. I was, quite simply, never going to need the same support as my brother despite being his younger sister, the youngest of three. I was born into a family still reeling from the diagnosis of the youngest of the twin boys that came before me. Autism, was a word added to my vocabulary almost as soon as I could talk - it is a word that was used so many times to reason with my juvenile mind. ‘He cant help it, it’s his autism’ I would say as I fought back tears each time Ben’s behaviour became challenging, ‘it’s not his fault’.

My name is Youssef Abidat and I have a learning disability, together with many disability related needs. I was very sad to hear about Tina Papalabropoulos’ avoidable death ...

My boys squabble just the same as any siblings, usually over Woody and Woody's hat - even though they have one each. Recently I have noticed something really magical between them. On a few occasions I have not been able to fully decipher what Seb is saying and Dominic has acted as his translator, almost getting frustrated at me for not knowing. In return, Seb picks Dominic up on his manners if he forgets to say please or thank you.