Introduction to Intellectual Impairment Flashcards
what is a learning disability?
a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities which affects someone for their whole life?
what does intellectual disability involve?
Problems with general mental abilities that affect functioning in:
- intellectual functioning
- adaptive functioning
what are acceptable labels for learning disability patients?
- person with intellectual impairment
- person with learning difficulty
- person with a learning disability
what is an impairment?
any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure or function
- occurs at the level of organ or system function
what is a disability?
any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being
what is the society model of disability?
disability is caused by the way society is organised, rather than by a persons impairment or difference
what is the medical model of disability?
says people are disabled by their impairments or differences
what are the barriers to a social model for disability?
- segregated social provision
- inflexible organisational procedures and practises
- inaccessible information
- inaccessible buildings
- inaccessible transport
- negative cultural representations
what are the causes of a learning disability at a preconception level?
- hereditary = parental genotype
- environmental = maternal health
what are the causes of a learning disability at a prenatal level?
- hereditary = chromosomal/genetic
- environmental = infection/maternal health/nutrition/toxic agents
what are the causes of a learning disability at a perinatal level?
- environmental = prematurity/injury
what are the causes of a learning disability at a postnatal level?
- hereditary = untreated genetic disorders (PKU)
- environmental = infection/trauma/toxic agents/nutritions/sensory social deprivation
what are examples of syndromes that are associated with learning disability?
- down’s syndrome
- prader willi syndrome
- autism spectrum syndrome
- angelman syndorme
what is Down’s syndrome?
a neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origin affecting chromosome 21
- 95% caused by trisomy of chromosome
- 2-4% mosaicism
- 2-4% rearrangement
what is the greatest risk factor for down’s syndrome?
advanced maternal age
what chromosome is affected in Prader Willi syndrome?
Chromosome 15
what are the presentations of Prader Willi syndrome?
- constant desire to eat food
- restricted growth (leading to short stature)
- reduced muscle tone
- learning difficulties
- lack of sexual development
- behavioural problems
what is autism spectrum disorder?
a complex developmental condition, behaviourally defined, that includes a range of possible developmental impairments in reciprocal social interaction and communication, and also a stereotyped, repetitive or limited behavioural repertoire
what is cerebral palsy? what are the presentations?
neurological conditions that affect movement and co-ordination
- muscle stiffness or floppiness
- muscle weakness
- random and uncontrolled movements
- balance & coordination problems
- defined by movement, limbs affected or severity
Why might a patient with down’s syndrome be more susceptible to periodontal disease?
- difficulty engaging with oral hygiene regime
- impaired migration of gingival fibroblasts
- poor saliva quality
- impaired neutrophil chemotaxis
- unregulated production of inflammatory mediators
Why is dentistry a potential problem for patients with Autism Spectrum Syndrome?
Dental environment can be overwhelming
- sensory atypia
- hypersensitivity to bright lights/noises/touch
