Learning Disabilities

Question 1

Learning Disability ICD-11 Criteria:

Answer 1

1. Intellectual impairment (IQ < 70)
2. Social or adaptive dysfunction - deficits/impairments in 2 or more of following adaptive skills: communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure and work.
3. Onset in the developmental period (before age 18)

Question 2

what features are indicative of a mild learning disability?

Answer 2

• IQ: 50-69
• Adaptive behaviour: 9 to under 12 yrs
• Often dont appear to be disabled
• People tend to overestimate them

Question 3

what features are indicative of a moderate learning disability?

Answer 3

• IQ: 35-49
• adaptive behaviour: 6 to under 9 yrs
• disability more likely to be apparent
• may appear to have surface understanding
• will be rigid in thinking
• may read but struggle to understand content

Question 4

what features are indicative of a severe learning disability?

Answer 4

• IQ: 20-34
• adaptive behaviour: 3 to under 6 yrs
• need help with most everyday tasks
• very basic understanding of language
• use the environment to try understand situations
• can learn to do simple repetitive practical tasks
• will always need support available

Question 5

what features are indicative of a profound learning disability?

Answer 5

• IQ < 20
• adaptive behaviour: below 3 yrs
• have complex care needs
• often have additional health needs
• often have multiple disabilities
• little or no ability to care for own basic needs
• require constant help and supervision
• unlikely to understand any language
• can communicate through noises and facial expression
• requires skilled carers who know them well

Question 6

Aetiology of inherited learning disabilities

Answer 6

Single gene:
- fragile X
- PKU
- Retts syndrome

Microdeletion/duplication:
- DiGeorge syndrome
- Prader-Willi
- Angelman syndrome

Chromosomal abnormality:
- Down syndrome
- Sex chromosome abnormalities

Question 7

Aetiology of acquired learning disability

Answer 7

Infective:
- rubella
- zika virus

Traumatic:
- hypoxic injury during birth
- head injury in childhood

Toxic:
- foetal alcohol syndrome/spectrum disorders
- maternal valproate use

Question 8

what medical conditions are associated with learning disabilities?

Answer 8

• idiopathic: for most patients cause is unknown
• cerebral palsy
• ASD
• epilepsy

Question 9

what are the leading causes of death in people with learning difficulties?

Answer 9

1. congenital malformation and chromosomal abnormalities
2. cancer
3. influenza and pneumonia
4. cerebral palsy
5. CV disease