Learning difficulty

Question 1

Define

How does it manifest in terms of IQ?

What does IQ stand for?

3 parts of criteria to diagnose learning disability?

Answer 1

Arrested or incomplete mental development leading to cognitive, social and/or language impairments

IQ two standard deviations below the mean

Intelligence Quotient
----------
Intellectual impairment IQ<70.
Social or adaptive dysfunction.
Onset in the developmental period.

Question 2

What is the common causes of learning difficulties (LD)?

What is a specific LD?

3 examples of specific LD?

Answer 2

Autism
Down’s

Problems out of sync with child’s overall cognitive ability hence generally in children without LD.

Dyspraxia
Dyslexia
Dyscalculia

Question 3

Diagnostic criteria

3 thing?

Answer 3

Low IQ

Problems with at least 2 of: communication, self care, home living, interpersonal skills, self direction, academic skills, work, leisure, health and safety.

Starts under 18 yrs old

Question 4

What is classed as mild LD?

Answer 4

IQ<70 
Delayed speech, impaired speech fluency and academic problems 
Social/emotional immaturity 
Mental age of 9-12
However functions normally

Question 5

What is classed as moderate LD?

Answer 5

IQ<50

Marked developmental delays but can attain a degree of independence.

Question 6

IQ in severe or profound LD?

S+S

Mental age of ____ in severe or profound LD?

Answer 6

IQ<35 - severe
IQ<20 - profound

Almost no ability to self-care and require continuous support
Usually non-verbal

3-6 in severe
<3 in profound

Question 7

Co-morbidities

Medical

Answer 7

Often occurs as part of a syndrome which includes complex, multiple physical co-morbidities such as epilepsy and cardiac defects.

Question 8

Co-morbidities

Psychiatric

Answer 8

Increased risk due to social isolation
Reduced self esteem
Neurological problems

Schizophrenia
Mania
Depression
ADHD

Question 9

Management of co-morbities

Answer 9

Meds - start low as patients have difficulty describing side effects
Liquid formulations often needed

Minimize invasive investigations

Question 10

Specific aetiologies - Give examples of:

• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Genetic disorders
• Intrauterine and neonatal damage
• Developmental and anatomical abnormalities of CNS
• Other later post-natal causes
• Disorders of complex biological origin

Answer 10

Down’s syndrome

Fragile X syndrome

Infections - rubella
Foetal alcohol syndrome
Prematurity
Labour complications

Neural tube defects
Cerebral palsies

Encephalitis
Meningitis
Trauma
Hypoxia (for example, due to severe epilepsy)

Autism