Learning Disabilities Flashcards
Define learning disability
**HINT: FC gives multiple definitions so just get general idea
- “State of arrested or incomplete development of the mind. Characterised by impairment of skills manifested during the developmental period, and skills that contribute to the overall level of intelligence.” WHO
- “A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence), with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning), which started before adulthood.” UK Department of Health
- “Define by 3 core criteria: lower intellectual ability (usually an IQ of less than 70), significant impairment of social or adaptive functioning, and onset in childhood.” NICE CKS
What triad MUST exist to constitute a learning disability?
- Low intellectual performance (IQ <70)
- Onset at birth or during childhood
- Significant impairment of adaptive and social functioning
What is meant by adaptive functioning?
Ability to manage the demands of day-to-day life (in other words, ability to manage ADLs e.g. self-care, travel, shopping, cooking, fine motor skills and communication)
What is the prevalence of learning disabilities?
2%
- 85% = mild
- 10% = moderate
- 5% = severe or profound
*Male:female ration is 3:2 (fragile X has a lot to do with this figure)
ICD-10 divides learning disabilities into four categories; what IQ range indicates:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Profound
… learning disability?
- Mild= IQ 50-70
- Moderate= IQ 35-49
- Severe= IQ 20-34
- Profound= IQ < 20
ICD-10 divides learning disabilities into four categories; what mental age would you expect for individuals with the following severities of learning disability:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Profound
- Mild= 9-12yrs
- Moderate= 6-9yrs
- Severe= 3-6yrs
- Profound= <3yrs
Causes of learning disability can be broadly grouped into:
- Genetic
- Antenatal
- Perinatal
- Neonatal
- Postnatal
- Environmental
- Psychiatric
… state at least 2-3 causes in each category
What is the most common cause of learning disability?
What is the second most common cause of learning disability?
- Most common cause= Down’s syndrome
- Second most common cause= Fragile X syndrome
Specific causes are uncommon in mild learning disability whereas they are usually identifiable in severe or profound learning disability; true or false?
True
Describe features of mild learning disabilities
- Usually identified at later age when child starts school
- Language: adequate
- Social skills: adequate
- Self care: relatively independent
- May be difficulties in academic work
- May need support with higher order ADLs/tasks e.g. housing & finance
- May have paid employment
Describe features of moderate learning disabilities
- Language: basic/limited communication skills
- Social skills: may be impaired hence need assistance/help to engage
- Self care: supervision with self care
Describe features of severe learning disabilities
- Marked degree of motor impairment
- Language: little or no speech in early childhood but may eventually use simple communication
- Self care: need supervision
- Live in 24hr staffed home
- May have associated physical disorders
Describe features of profound learning disabilities
- Severe motor impairment
- Severe communication difficulties
- Little or no self care
- Often have physical disorders
- Require residential care (24hr supervised care)
Summary of features of mild, moderate, severe & profound learning disabilities
State some physical disorders which are common in individuals with learning disabilities
- Motor disabilities (e.g. ataxia, spasticity)
- Epilepsy
- Visual impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Incontinence
SEE PAEDIATRICS FLASHCARD FOR MORE IN DEPTH REVISION OF FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
- Down’s syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
- Prader-Willi synrome
- Cri-du-chat
Image provides a summary:
- ***Fragile-X is X-linked*
- **Prader-Willi: insatiable hunger & hypotonia are key symptoms*
