Intellectual Disabilities Flashcards
The term “Intellectual Disability” is also called what kind of disorder?
Intellectual Developmental Disorder
What was the pejorative term for an intellectual disability (no longer used)?
“Mentally retarded”
What are the 2 main features of an intellectual disability?
(one resulting from another)
1. Fundamental deficit in ability to think
- Abstract judgement, planning, problem solving, reasoning, learning
- Overall IQ is below avg (<70)
- Ability to adapt to demands of normal life is seriously impaired
- Problems w/ adaptation (school, work, home w/ family)
- Conceptual (school skills), social (communication), practical (regulating behavior)
What feature is required to be diagnosed with an intellectual disability?
Problems with adaptation! (school, work, home w/ family)
What criteria was previously used for intellectual disability diagnosis, but is not anymore?
Low IQ (<70), indicating below avg intellectual functioning
How are intellectual disabilities classified?
Ranges:
1. Mild
2. Moderate
3. Severe
4. Profound
What does the mild range consist of?
- 85% of ID population
- Can generally learn reading, writing + math skills b/w 3rd and 6th grade lvls.
- May have jobs + live independently
What does the moderate range consist of?
- 10% of ID population
- May be able to learn some basic reading + writing.
- Able to learn functional skills such as safety and self-help.
- Require some type of oversight/supervision.
What does the severe range consist of?
- 5% of ID pop
- Probably not able to read or write, although they may learn self-help skills + routines.
- Require supervision in their daily activities and living environment
What does the profound range consist of?
- 1% of the ID pop
- Require intensive support.
- May be able to communicate by verbal or other means
- May have medical conditions that require ongoing nursing + therapy
Most people with an intellectual disability fall within which range?
Mild range
When is the onset of an intellectual disability?
Often in infancy, but problem show up in childhood + beyond
What behavioral problems are associated w/ an intellectual disability?
- Aggression, dependency, impulsivity, passivity, stubbornness, poor frustration tolerance
- Gulibility + naivete - risk for exploitation by others
How may someone w/ an intellectual disability appear?
May appear normal, while others have obvious physical characteristics
- Short stature, seizures, malformed eyes, ears, other pts of face
What causes intellectual disability?
- No identifiable cause (30%)
- Environment + exposure to toxins (25%)
- Genetics (5%)
What are some inherited forms of intellectual disability?
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Tay-Sachs Disease
- Fragile X syndrome
- Downs Syndrome
What causes Phenylketonuria?
- Missing enzyme to break down phenylalanine, so it accumulates to toxic levels in your brain
Is Phenylketonuria preventable?
- Yes, 100% preventable w/ diet
When do you test for Phenylketonuria? How prevalent is it?
- Tested at birth
- 1 in 10-15K U.S.
What causes Tay-Sachs Disease?
- Missing vital enzyme (hexosaminidase-A) that breaks down lipids
- Lipids make their way to brain + spinal cord → accumulate in nerve cells
What are common symptoms of Tay-Sachs Disease?
- Gradually lose sight, hearing and swallowing abilities
- Progressively worse problems w/ speech
What is the general prevalence of Tay-Sachs?
- Death before age 5
- Most common among Jewish descent
What must you have to get Tay-Sachs Disease?
Both your parents must be carriers
Are there treatments for Tay-Sachs Disease?
No treatments available
What causes Fragile X syndrome?
- Damage/mutation to the X chromosome
- Transmitted through fragile X gene on the X chromosome
What is the prevalence for Fragile X syndrome?
- Can affect both boys + girls, but is most common in males*
- Mild-moderate ID
- 1 in 4K males/1 in 8K females
What may be co-morbid with Fragile X syndrome?
ADHD co-morbidity
What are common features of Fragile X syndrome?
Elongated face, larger ears, head size
Is there a cure for Fragile X syndrome?
No
What causes Downs Syndrome?
Caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome
What is the prevalence of Downs Syndrome?
1 in 700 births
What is another name for Downs Syndrome?
Trisomy 21
What are common features for Downs Syndrome?
Characteristic facial structure: almond shaped elongated eyes, short stature, round face
When is the onset for Downs Syndrome?
Early on, via ultrasound
What are some environmental causes of Intellectual Disability?
- Prenatal Disease
Rubella (German measles) - Difficult delivery
- Premature birth
- Prenatal substance abuse
- Failure to thrive
- Exposure to toxins (lead, chemicals)
What causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Substance abuse while pregnant
(leading cause for ID)
What are common features of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
- Smooth philtrum, epicanthal folds
- Cerebellar ataxia - problems w/ balance, gait, eye movements
What is the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
- Leading case of intellectual disability
- 10% of women drink while pregnant globally
- 7.7-20 per 1000 births globally - lower in U.S.
Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome preventable?
100% preventable
What can Fetal Alcohol syndrome do to your brain?
Shrinkage of brain tissue
What interventions are there for IDs?
- No cure, but some are preventable
- Mainstreaming
- Behavioral interventions involving family
