Chapter 22: Intellectual Disabilities (Children)

Question 1

Intellectual Disabilities

Answer 1

“mental retardation”

• may present across the spectrum, with minimal impairment at one end, to severe impairment at the other
• number of potential causes of intellectual disability

Question 2

Risk Factors

Answer 2

• PKU and the use of alcohol and drugs during pregnancy
• difficulties during pregnancy and birth (prematurity, low birth weight, lack of oxygenation, environmental toxins, illnesses, and malnutrition)
• after birth (whooping cough, chickenpox, measles, Haemophilus influenzae, or exposure to environmental toxins)
• poverty can increase these risk factors

Question 3

3 Criteria for the Diagnosis of Intellectual Disabilities

Answer 3

• an intelligence quotient (IQ) score below average (i.e. below 70–average is 100)
• limitations in functions of daily life, such as communication, social situations, or school activities
• onset before the age of 18

Question 4

4 Levels of Developmental Disabilities

Answer 4

> Mild: IQ between 55 and 69; person generally able to live independently; largest group of developmentally disabled children
Moderate: IQ between 40 and 54; person able to function semi-independently
Severe: IQ between 25 and 39; generally requires institutionalization or very close monitoring
Profound: IQ below 25; requires total care

Question 5

Diagnosis

Answer 5

based on:
-determination of intellectual (e.g. IQ, reasoning, learning, and problem solving) and adaptive functioning
-delays in reaching developmental milestones or inability to perform developmental tasks
>official diagnosis performed by a qualified health-care provider or a collaborative team of clinicians

Question 6

Prevention

Answer 6

• address education of parents prior to and during pregnancy
• recognition of environmental and maternal health risk factors
• promoting health and safety measures for the infant, toddler, and young child (e.g. nutrition, safety awareness, lead prevention, child safety seats, etc)

Question 7

Nursing Care

Answer 7

• includes information gained from the mother such as prenatal history, birth history, and child’s developmental progress
• each child has unique needs
• ongoing communication with the family about the child’s specific disability, treatment measures, and medications
• tell parents genetic counseling may also be helpful, particularly in families which the parents are older or when there is a history of FXS
• promoting good prenatal care, encouraging to have their children immunized, and enforcing safe practices when bike-riding or playing

Question 8

Education/ Discharge

Answer 8

• help family find educational resource tools that are directed toward building life skills for the child based on the degree of disability
• goal= child or adolescent to develop the greatest level of functioning and skills possible to maintain daily living
• encourage family to use physical, speech, and language therapy
• teach family about community resources such as Special Olympics or schools for therapeutic horseback riding instruction
• group activities can build both motor and learning skills as well as provide socialization