L18: Learning Disability Flashcards
What is the WHO definition of learning disability
Intellectual disability means a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information and to learn and apply new skills.
Reduced ability to cope independently
Begins before adulthood
Summarise the WHO definition of learning disability
Impairment of intellectual functioning
Consequences in terms of severe impairment of social functioning
Onset before adulthood
Excludes people who develop it in adult life and specific impairments such as dyslexia
How is someone assessed to have a learning disability
IQ test
Adaptive behaviour scales
Does an IQ test assess learning difficulty
No only assess learning DISABILITY
What are the problems with IQ test
Does not assses how someone copes in life
Person may not understand how the test works
IQ test is not standarised on people with learning disability who may have uneven balance of strength and weaknesses
What does the adaptive behaviour scale measure
Measures skills in daily living
What are the problems with adaptive behaviour scales
Ignores extent of support from a carer
May be variability of environment as person may manage well at certain environment they are used to
Poor performance may indicate lack of opportunity rather than lack of skill
Skills can change overtime
How many grades are there in an IQ test
4
What are the 4 grades in IQ test
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Profound
Is there a national register for learning disability
No
Where are learning disabilities recorded
In GP records
What is mild Learning disability associated with
Poverty
Disadvantage
What is more severe learning disability associated with
Organic cause
What is severe learning disability less likely to be associated with
Poverty
Why is there an increase in learning disability
Increase in premature babies surviving LD
Grater life expectancy of adults with lD
