Learning Disabilities

Question 1

What is a learning disability?

Answer 1

Condition of arrested growth or incomplete development of the mind, characterised by impairment of skills, manifested during developmental period contributing to overall level of intelligence

Question 2

LD IQ criteria

Answer 2

<70

Question 3

What is the most commonly used assessment for LD?

Answer 3

Wechnler adult intelligence scale (WAIS)

Question 4

A borderline LD?

Answer 4

IQ 70+

Question 5

A mild LD?

Answer 5

IQ 50-69

Question 6

A moderate LD?

Answer 6

IQ 35-49

Question 7

A severe LD?

Answer 7

IQ 20-34

Question 8

A profound LD?

Answer 8

IQ <20

Question 9

What age does a borderline LD equate to?

Answer 9

12-15 years old

Question 10

What is the most common LD?

Answer 10

Mild

Question 11

What age does a mild LD equate to?

Answer 11

9-12 years old

Question 12

What age does a moderate LD equate to?

Answer 12

6-9 years old

Question 13

What age does a severe LD equate to?

Answer 13

3-6 years old

Question 14

What age does a profound LD equate to?

Answer 14

<3 years old

Question 15

Examples of generic aetiology of LD?

Answer 15

Defects of proteins (phenylketonuria), carbohydrates (mucopolysaccharidoses), lipid metabolism (neurolipidoses)
Tuberous scerlosis
Congenital hypothyroidism
Lesch nyhan syndrome (x linked)

Question 16

Examples of chromosomal aetiology of LD?

Answer 16

Down's syndrome (trisomy 21) 
Patau syndrome (trisomy 13) 
Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) 
Cri du chat 5P
Angelman 15Q
Prader-willi 15Q
Velo cardiofacial syndrome 22Q
Williams syndrome 7Q
Turners 45, XO
Trisomy X , 47XXX
Kleinfelter, XXY
XXY male 
Fragile X

Question 17

Examples of prenatal aetiology factors causing LD?

Answer 17

Maternal infection - rubella, CMV, toxoplasmosis
Exposure to medications or drugs 
Alcohol
Poor diet
Substance abuse

Question 18

Examples of perinatal aetiology factors causing LD?

Answer 18

Neonatal septicaemia 
Pneumonia 
Meningitis/ encephalitis 
Problems at birth-delivery injury 
Newborn complications - resp distress, hyperbilirubinaemia, hypoglycaemia, extreme prematurity

Question 19

Examples of postnatal a aetiology factors causing LD?

Answer 19

Congenital hypothyroidism 
Cerebral palsies
Epilepsy 
Autism 
CNS infections, vascular incidents, tumours, hypoxic brain injury, head injury, NAI, exposure to toxic agents, psychosocial environment

Question 20

How much more common is schizophrenia is people with LD?

Answer 20

X3

Question 21

How much more common is depression in people with LD?

Answer 21

D3

Question 22

What percentage of LD population have autism?

Answer 22

30%

Question 23

Management for LD??

Answer 23

Therapeutic environment - general and specific support
Education
Meet needs, support network
Communication - hearing aids, glasses, pictorial
Behavioural
Cognitive
Pharmacological
Physical interventions - head gear, isolation
Admission - respite, Specialist unit