Learning disabilities Flashcards
What is a learning disability?
Globally impaired cognition. Present from childhood.
What is a learning difficulty?
Impaired cognition in one area. Eg. Dyslexia, dyscalculia
When is a learning disability present from?
Childhood
What are the five severities of learning disability?
Borderline Mild Moderate Severe Profound
What IQs define the five severities of learning disability?
Borderline- 70 Mild- 50-69 Moderate- 35-49 Severe- 20-34 Profound- <20
What mental ages do the five severities of learning disability reach?
Borderline- 12-15 Mild- 9-12 Moderate- 6-9 Severe- 3-6 Profound- <3
How does a mild LD tend to present?
Delayed speech
Difficulties reading and writing
Generally independent
How does a moderate LD tend to present?
Slow with Comprehension and Language Limited Achievements Delayed Self care and Motor Skills Simple Practical Tasks - Often with Supervision Usually Fully Mobile - Physically Active Discrepant profiles Majority Organic Aetiology Epilepsy & Physical Disability common
How does severe LD tend to present?
Unlikely to be verbal
How is LD diagnosed?
Clinical findings- History, genetic conditions, behaviour
Psychometric testing- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
What stages of life can LD occur in?
Prenatal
Antenatal
Perinatal
Postnatal
What prenatal things can cause LD?
Chromosomal imbalance
Genetic conditions
What chromosomal imbalances can cause LD?
21- Down's Syndrome 18- Edward's Syndrome 15- Angelman (maternal) and Prader-Willi (paternal) 13- Patau Syndrome XO- Turner's Syndrome XXX- Triple X XXY- Kleinfleter's Syndrome XYY
How does Angelman’s present?
Ataxia
Paroxysms of laughter
How does Prader-Willi present?
Overeating
Self injury
What genetic conditions can cause LD?
Tuberous sclerosis
Congenital hypothyroidism
Lesch nyhan syndrome (x-linked)
Micro structure defects: Protein (phenylketonuria), Carb (mucopolysaccharidoses), Fat (neurolipidoses)
What antenatal factors can cause LD?
Maternal infections (CMV, rubella, toxoplasmosis)
Poor diet
Drug use
Alcohol (fetal alcohol syndrome)
What perinatal factors can cause LD?
Birth trauma
Anoxia
Respiratory distress
Extreme prematurity
What postnatal factors can cause LD?
Infection
Head injury
Congenital hypothyroidism
What conditions can be associated with LD?
Schizophrenia
Depression
Bipolar
Autism Spectrum Disorders
What are the O’Brien Principles of LD?
Learning disabled people will continue to grow and develop given an appropriate environment
Learning disabled people are worthy of all the dignity and rights of any citizen
Concept of learning through risk taking and the avoidance of over-protection
The availability of everyday, normal conditions of life
The availability of generic environments and services
Why can it be difficult to diagnose medical conditions in those with LD?
Because they may not be able to express the symptoms
Because symptoms may be taken as part of LD
May be told not a problem and take it as red
What is a differential for paranoid psychosis in LD?
Unable to interpret reality correctly
How can you support people with LD?
Therapeutic environment Psychoeducation Communication- Hearing aids, glasses, Pictorial Behavioural Cognitive
What areas can be targeted for behavioural changes in LD?
Teach/improve basic skills
Establish normal patterns
Relaxation techniques
Assertiveness training
What areas can be targeted for cognitive changes in LD?
Problem solving skills
Offending behaviour
Anxiety and depression
What is pharma treatment used for in LD?
Associated conditions
What conditions are antipsychotics used for?
Psychosis
Behavioural disturbance
Autism
What conditions are antidepressants used for?
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Self injury
Autism
What condition are stimulants used for?
ADHD
What conditions are anticonvulsants used for?
Bipolar affective disorder
Episodic dyscontrol
How can schizophrenia present in LD?
Unexplained aggression, bizarre behaviour, social withdrawal, mood lability, increased mannerisms or stereotypies
How can autism present in LD?
Abnormal social interaction
Communication impairment
Rigid/restricted or repetitive behaviour, interests and activities
