Learning Disabilities

Question 1

What three criteria does a learning disabled person need to have?

Answer 1

A. An IQ under 70
B. Loss of Adaptive social functioning.
C. Onset before the age of 18

Question 2

What instances would not constitute a learning disability?

Answer 2

People who develop an impairment after the age of
18

People who suffer brain injury in accidents after the
age of 18.

People with complex medical conditions which affect
their intellectual abilities and which develop after the
age of 18 e.g. Huntington’s Chorea, Alzheimer’s
Disease.

Question 3

What are the IQ ranges for the different degrees of learning disability?

Answer 3

50-69 Mild Language fair. Sensory or motor deficits slight, reasonable level of independence.

35-49 Moderate Generally better receptive than expressive language.

20-34 Severe Increased sensory and motor deficits. 50% will have epilepsy.

< 20 Profound Increased need and vulnerability. Developmental level about 12 months.

Question 4

What are the four groups that could be the cause of learning disability?

Answer 4

• Before birth or pre-natal:
– Genetic or ‘congenital’ e.g. Down’s syndrome, Fragile X
– Maternal drug or alcohol use Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
• During birth or peri-natal:
– oxygen deprivation during birth
– injury secondary to birth complications
– difficulties resulting from premature birth
• After birth or post-natal:
– illnesses, injury or environmental conditions
• Multiple causes:
– a combination of before, during and after birth factors

Question 5

What are the three common causes we need to know about?

Answer 5

Down’s syndrome (most common genetic cause)
Foetal alcohol syndrome
Fragile X syndrome (most common inherited cause)

Question 6

What percentage of people with epilepsy will also have a learning disability?

Answer 6

30%

Question 7

What is the most common cause of learning disability?

Answer 7

Down’s syndrome

Question 8

What three chromosomal abnormalities can cause Down’s syndrome?

Answer 8

Trisomy 21 (95%)
Robertsonian translocation (4%)
Mosaicism (1%)

Question 9

What are the physical features of Down’s syndrome?

Answer 9

Short stature, rounded skull, slope of palpebral fissures, epicanthic fold (upper eyelid overlaps lower at inner canthus), brushfield spots.

Question 10

What physical conditions are Down’s syndrome people at risk of developing?

Answer 10

– Abnormalities of internal organs= ASD/VSD/Oesophageal atresia
– Cataracts
– Hypothyroidism
– Chest infection
– Transient leukaemia
– Epilepsy
– Dementia

Question 11

What causes foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)?

Answer 11

Use of alcohol during pregnancy

Question 12

What is the leading preventable cause of learning disability?

Answer 12

FAS

Question 13

How many people with FAS will have a learning disability?

Answer 13

25-30%

Question 14

What are the 3 key features of FAS?

Answer 14

– Growth retardation
– Characteristic facial features
– CNS abnormalities/dysfunction

Question 15

How many people are affected by autism?

Answer 15

1 in 100

Question 16

What three things characterise autism?

Answer 16

– Social interaction
– Verbal and non-verbal communication
– Restricted and repetitive behaviours

Question 17

What three other associated symptoms are present in autism?

Answer 17

– Unusual sensory perceptions
– Physical clumsiness
– Dietary restrictions

Question 18

What 6 difficulties arise from autism?

Answer 18

• Sensory distortion
(visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory)
• Perceptual distortion
(of light, shade, colour, movement)
• Executive function difficulties
(personal organisation and planning)
• Central coherence difficulties
(arranging the details/making connections/details AND whole)
• Inflexibility of thought and action
(leading to difficulties in making transitions)
• Social interaction difficulties

Question 19

Why are people with learning disabilities more likely to be at risk of mental health conditions?

Answer 19

Because they experience more biological and psychosocial risk factors

Question 20

How many people without learning difficulties and with learning difficulties will develop a mental health problem?

Answer 20

• 16-25% total population will develop
mental health problem in their
lifetime
• 24-40% of people with LD will
develop mental health problem in
their lifetime

Question 21

How may a person with a learning disability present with depression?

Answer 21

– Agitation
– Appetite
– Weight
– Sleep
– Self care / Regression
– Psychomotor retardation
– Tearfulness

Question 22

What learning disability is dementia much more common in?

Answer 22

Down’s syndrome (linked to Trisomy 21)