Learning Difficulties Flashcards
Define learning difficulties;
“Condition of arrested development of the mind, or incomplete development of the mind which is especially characterised by an impairment of skills”
What are the three main criteria for diagnosis of a Learning difficulty?
<18 y/o
IQ <70
Deficits in adaptive functioning over a broad range
What IQ is considered a mild learning difficulty?
50-69
What IQ is considered a moderate learning difficulty?
49-35
What IQ is considered a severe learning difficulty?
<35
Below what IQ would a patient be considered to have a profound learning difficulty?
<20
What % of the population suffer from learning difficulties?
3%
Learning difficulties are more common in males or females?
Males
3:2
List some pre-natal risk factors for learning difficulties:
- maternal infection e.g. rubella
- exposure to alcohol / drugs
- medications
- poor diet
List some perinatal risk factors for learning difficulties:
- Neonatal septicaemia
- Difficult labour
- cerebral palsy
- injury during birth e.g. hypoxia
- Meningitis
List some postnatal risk factors for learning difficulties:
CNS infections
Vascular accidents
Tumours
What is the life expectancy of a female with a LD?
18 years below average
What is the life expectancy for a male with a LD?
14 years below average
What disease are patient’s with LD extremely susceptible to and why is this significant?
Epilepsy
Treatment with anti-psychotics needs to be closely monitored as they lower seizure threshold
List some genetic causes of learning difficulties?
Down's Syndrome Turner's Syndrome Prader-Willi syndrome Angelman's Syndrome William's Syndrome Fragile X syndrome etc
