Learning Disabilities Flashcards
What three criteria does a learning disabled person need to have?
A. An IQ under 70
B. Loss of Adaptive social functioning.
C. Onset before the age of 18
What instances would not constitute a learning disability?
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.
What are the IQ ranges for the different degrees of learning disability?
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.
What are the four groups that could be the cause of learning disability?
• 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
What are the three common causes we need to know about?
Down’s syndrome (most common genetic cause)
Foetal alcohol syndrome
Fragile X syndrome (most common inherited cause)
What percentage of people with epilepsy will also have a learning disability?
30%
What is the most common cause of learning disability?
Down’s syndrome
What three chromosomal abnormalities can cause Down’s syndrome?
Trisomy 21 (95%) Robertsonian translocation (4%) Mosaicism (1%)
What are the physical features of Down’s syndrome?
Short stature, rounded skull, slope of palpebral fissures, epicanthic fold (upper eyelid overlaps lower at inner canthus), brushfield spots.
What physical conditions are Down’s syndrome people at risk of developing?
– Abnormalities of internal organs= ASD/VSD/Oesophageal atresia – Cataracts – Hypothyroidism – Chest infection – Transient leukaemia – Epilepsy – Dementia
What causes foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)?
Use of alcohol during pregnancy
What is the leading preventable cause of learning disability?
FAS
How many people with FAS will have a learning disability?
25-30%
What are the 3 key features of FAS?
– Growth retardation
– Characteristic facial features
– CNS abnormalities/dysfunction
How many people are affected by autism?
1 in 100
What three things characterise autism?
– Social interaction
– Verbal and non-verbal communication
– Restricted and repetitive behaviours
What three other associated symptoms are present in autism?
– Unusual sensory perceptions
– Physical clumsiness
– Dietary restrictions
What 6 difficulties arise from autism?
• 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
Why are people with learning disabilities more likely to be at risk of mental health conditions?
Because they experience more biological and psychosocial risk factors
How many people without learning difficulties and with learning difficulties will develop a mental health problem?
• 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
How may a person with a learning disability present with depression?
– Agitation – Appetite – Weight – Sleep – Self care / Regression – Psychomotor retardation – Tearfulness
What learning disability is dementia much more common in?
Down’s syndrome (linked to Trisomy 21)
