Intellectual Disability Flashcards
Overview
Affects 1% of population, formerly Mental Retardation
Significant and broad-ranging limitations or deficits in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors.
Deficits in reasoning and problem-solving ability, abstract thinking skills, judgment, and school performance
Begins before 18 during development - usually life long but can improve over time when receiving support, guidance, enriched educational opportunities
Diagnosis of Intellectual Disorders
Low IQ score and impaired adaptive functioning occurring before 18 that results in significant impairments in meeting expected standards of independent functioning, and social responsibility.
Level of severity depends on child’s adaptive functioning, most children fall in mild range
Causes of Intellectual Disorders
Biological, psychosocial, or a combo of these cause ID
Biological Factors: chromosomal & genetic disorders, infectious diseases, maternal alcohol use
Psychosocial: exposure to impoverished home environment, lack of intellectually stimulating activities
Down Syndrome
Most frequently identified ID- 1 in 800 births
An extra chromosome on the 21st pair- resulting in 47 chromosomes instead of 46
Traced to Mothers Egg Cell - 90% and Fathers Sperm Cell - 10%
Features of Down Syndrome
Physical Features: round face, flat nose, small downward-sloping folds of skin at inside corners of eyes, protruding tongue, small squarish hands, short fingers, disproportionately small arms & legs to body proportion.
Malformations of the heart/respiratory difficulties
Average life expectancy = 49 years old
Uncoordinated, lack muscle tone
Memory deficits, especially verbal information, makes learning in school difficult
Klinefleter’s Syndrome
Only occurs in males
Extra X chromosome: XXY pattern rather than normal XY
Fail to develop appropriate secondary sex characteristics, small underdeveloped testes, low sperm production, enlarged breasts, poor muscular development, infertility
Learning disorders are also common
Diagnosed mostly when tested for infertility
Turner’s Syndrome
Occurs in Females
Presence of a single X chromosome instead of 2
Develop normal external genitals, but ovaries remain poorly developed, reduced levels of estrogen
Short stature, infertile, endocrine and cardiovascular problems
Mild ID especially in math and science
Fragile X Syndrome
Most commonly identified genetic cause of ID
Second most common ID after Down Syndrome
Mutation on single gene in X chromosome
Effects: mild learning disorders to ID so severe person cannot speak or function
Affects males more, as females have 2 X chromosomes, males only have 1. Females have milder form of ID than males.
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Recessive gene prevents child from metabolizing amino acid phenylalanine
Accumulation of phenylanlanine, and phenylpyruvic acid accumulates in body causing CNS damage, resulting in severe ID
Detected in newborns through blood or urine samples
when put on diet low in amino acid child can develop normally, child is given protein supplements as compensation for diet.
Prenatal Tests
Amniocentesis: 14 - 15 weeks following conception
Cells from amniotic fluid are examined for abnormalities, including Down Syndrome
Blood tests used to detect carriers of other disorders
Prenatal Factors
Maternal Infections (i.e. Rubella and syphilis) and Alcohol use (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) in prenatal period can be factors
Birth Complications: Oxygen deprivation, head injuries, prematurity
Infant Brain Infections: encephalitis, and meningitis, or brain trauma
Cultural-Familial Causes
Most cases fall in mild range with no apparent biological cause, or distinguishing physical feature.
Typically have cultural-familial roots - being raised in an impoverished home, or social/cultural environment lacking stimulating activities, or neglect/abuse
Most have parents also reared in poverty who lack reading or communication skills to help child develop
Lack toys, books, or opportunities to interact with adults in intellectually stimulating ways
Intervention
Mild Forms:
- With appropriate training may approach 6th grade level of competence.
- Can acquire vocational skills & support themselves through work
- Can be mainstreamed in regular class
Extreme Forms:
May need institutional care, or placement in residential care facility, often to control destructive or aggressive behavior not b/c of severity of ID
High Risk of developing other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and behavioral problems
Psychological counseling with behavioral techniques help deal with other psychological disorders that result from ID
Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
Passed in 1975
People with ID have the right to receive appropriate treatment in the least-restrictive treatment setting
people with ID capable of functioning in community have right to receive less restrictive care in large institutions
