Learning Disabilites Flashcards
What is meant by a learning /intellectual disability?
Learning Disability is a state of arrested or incomplete development of the mind. It is characterised by impairment of skills manifested during the developmental period and skills
that contribute the overall level of intelligence.
What 3 criteria must be met for a learning disability to be diagnosed?
1) A significant impairment of intelligence (IQ<70)
2) A significant impairment of adaptive functioning
3) Both of these impairments were evident before adulthood (18 years)
What is the difference between a learning disability and a intellectual disability?
Nothing. They are the same thing.
What is meant by adaptive functioning?
The ability of an individual to navigate activities of daily living/ day to day tasks e.g. cooking, washing, shopping, cleaning.
Suggest 7 broad causes of learning disabilities?
1-Genetics
2-Prenatal/Antenatal (before birth)
3-Perinatal (during birth)
4-Neonatal
5-Postnatal (after birth)
6-Environmental
7-Psychiatric
Suggest 2 Prenatal/ antenatal causes of learning disabilities?
1-Down syndrome
2-Fragile X syndrome
What is fragile X syndrome?
A trinucleotide repeat disorder.
FMR-1 gene, amplified CGC sequence.
Suggest 2 perinatal causes of learning disability?
1-Infection e.e.g toxoplasmosis
2-Asphyxia (a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen)
Suggest 3 post natal causes of learning disability?
1.Epilepsy
2.Meningitis
3.Head injury
Suggest 2 environmental causes of learning disability?
1-Malnutrition,
2-Lead/mercury poisoning,
What test determines a persons level of intelligence?
Psychometric assessment in the form of IQ.
What is an impairment occurring in adulthood (>18) known as?
Acquired brain injury
Learning difficulty is not the same as learning disability.
True or false.
True
Learning difficulty refers to isolated problems with specific skills only e.g reading, writing.
What is ADHD? and is it a learning disability?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
No, it is a behavioral disorder.
What is ASD? and is it a learning disability?
Autism spectrum disorder
No, it is a behavioral disorder.
True or false.
People with intellectual/learning disabilities have a significantly reduced life expectancy relative to the general population.
True
Which gender is most affected by learning disabilities? Why?
Males
Due to fragile X syndrome
What are the 3 categories of learning disabilities?
List the IQ levels associated with each category too.
- Mild (IQ 69-50)
- Moderate (IQ 49-35)
- Severe/profound (IQ less than 34)
Which category of learning disability is the most prevalent?
Mild (85%)
Moderate (10%)
Severe/profound (5%)
Suggest 4 features of individuals with mild learning disability following the prompts below.
1-How is their self care?
2-How is their reading/writing?
3-How are their social skills?
4-How is their physical health/mobility?
1-Independent living is possible
2-Have good non-verbal communication, and are able to read & write basics.
3-Social development is normal besides some immaturity.
4-Normal mobility
Suggest 4 features of individuals with moderate learning disability.
Following the prompts below.
1-How is their self care?
2-How is their reading/writing?
3-How are their social skills?
4-How is their physical health/mobility?
1-Self care; limited abilities, need supervision e..g assisted living.
2-May develop some reading & writing. Can use and understand simple phrases.
3-social development is limited but interaction is as usual.
4-Mobility is delayed but usually fully mobile. Increased risk of neurological disorders e.g. epilepsy.
Suggest 4 features of individuals with severe learning disability following the prompts below.
1-How is their self care?
2-How is their reading/writing?
3-How are their social skills?
4-How is their physical health/mobility?
1-Self care is very limited, mainly incontinent and require 24hr supervision.
2-Have some visuospatial skills, speak few words and have a limited understanding.
3-Social development is very limited and often have autism
4-mobility is often impaired and individuals have musculoskeletal abnormalities.
List five common psychiatric co-morbidities in Learning Disabilities
1-Depression
2-ADHD
3-Anxiety
4-Autism Spectrum Disorder
5-Bipolar disorder
6-Schizophrenia
Suggest 7 common physical health problems seen in people with learning difficulties?
1-Constipation
2-Dental problems
3-Infections e.g. UTIs, ear, RTI
4-Obesity
5-Sensory impairments
6-Swallowing issues
7-Epilepsy
Suggests 4 barriers to treating physical health conditions in people with learning disabilities?
1-Understanding and communicating symptoms
2-Capacity to consent
3-Non compliance with treatment
4-Sensitivity to medication
Suggest 6 ways you can improve consultations for those with learning disabilities?
1-Allocate more time
2-Talk to informants/carers
3-Use communication passports
4-Reduce stress e.g. see at home, avoid long waits
5-Use simple jargon free language
6-Use easy read information leaflets
7-Go low and slow with medication
What are IMCA?
Independent mental capacity advocates- locally commissioned, independent representatives to represent the interest of people who lack capacity.
NB-they are not the decision makers, but they write a independent report for the decision maker to read.
What is meant by diagnostic overshadowing?
Diagnostic overshadowing occurs when a healthcare professional assumes that a patient’s complaint is due to their disability or coexisting mental health condition rather than fully exploring the cause of the patient’s symptoms.
What is autism?
A lifelong developmental condition, associated with difficulties in social interaction and communication
What is a communication passport?
A Communication Passport provides a practical and person-centred approach to passing on key information about people with complex communication difficulties who cannot easily speak for themselves.
What are psychotropic medications?
Psychotropic medications are used to manage various symptoms and conditions that may co-occur with learning disabilities, such as mood disorders, anxiety, or behavioral issues.
Describe the effects of psychotropic medication in people with learning disability
Effects of psychotropic meds:
1. Mood stabilizer
2. Anxiolytics
3. Behaviour management e.g.antipsychotics
4. Sleep aids
What are the 7 sections to a Mental state examination?
1- Appearance and behaviour
2- Speech
3-Mood and affect
4-Thoughts
5-Perception
6-Insight and judgement
7-Risk
What is meant by least restrictive practice?
Least Restrictive Practice promotes a strengths based and person-centred approach to delivering care and support while minimising the use of restraint.
E.g. This approach can be used with individuals with a learning disability who have complex needs and may present with behaviour that challenges.
