AN INTRODUCTION TO LEARNING DISABILITIES

Question 1

what are the criteria for a learning disability?

Answer 1

IQ< 70
significant impairment in adaptive behaviours
significant impairment in social functioning
onset before age of 18

Question 2

what’s the difference between a learning disability and a learning difficulty?

Answer 2

a disability affects learning and intelligence whilst a difficulty creates an obstacle to learning but does not affect intelligence

Question 3

what are 3 methods of measuring intelligence?

Answer 3

stanford-binet scale
IQ levels
Wechsler adult intelligence scale

Question 4

what is the Stanford-binnet scale?

Answer 4

it was an IQ test that measured language, math and spatial skills. they compared loads of children to produce age-level norms

Question 5

how do we measure IQ?

Answer 5

mental age/chronological age x100

Question 6

what is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale?

Answer 6

similar to Stanford-binet test but was more appropriate for adults as it relies less on language ability

Question 7

what are some causes of learning disabilities?

Answer 7

trauma, toxins, tumours, genetics, metabolic problems, infections

Question 8

describe the relationship between learning disabilities and morbidity?

Answer 8

life expectancy is markedly reduced and is directly proportionate to the level of disability

Question 9

what is ‘death by indifference’?

Answer 9

the reporting of deaths that the six families involved and Mencap believe were the result of failings in the NHS.

Question 10

what are some factors to be aware of when dealing with those with a learning disability?

Answer 10

diagnostic overshadowing
abuse from carers
communication needs to be easy

Question 11

what services are available to those with learning disabilities?

Answer 11

Gp
hospital
liaison nurse
community learning difficulty team
independent sector organisations e.g. WARD family trust or Menace