Learning Disabilities

Question 1

A learning disabled person will have an IQ under __?__

Answer 1

70

Question 2

True or false: Classification of a learning disability requires the onset of the disability to occur before the age of 18.

Answer 2

True.

Question 3

Which of these is a learning disability?

1. People who develop an impairment > 18y
2. People who suffer brain injury > 18y
3. People with a medical condition which affect their intellectual abilities which develop > 18y
4. Down’s Syndrome with dementia aged 30y

Answer 3

4 is the only correct answer. A learning disability must occur before the age of 18. Down’s Syndrome is congenital.

Question 4

What level of care would you expect to be required by a person with an IQ of 60?

Answer 4

50-69 = Mild Learning Disability

Likely to result in some learning issues at school. Many adults will be able to work and maintain relationship

Question 5

What level of care would you expect to be required by a person with an IQ of 40?

Answer 5

35-49 = Moderate learning disability

Marked developmental delays in childhood, can learn to develop some degree of independence in self-care and communication skills

Question 6

What level of care would you expect to be required by a person with an IQ of 30?

Answer 6

20-34 = Severe learning disability

Likely to result in continuous need of support

Question 7

What level of care would you expect to be required by a person with an IQ of 19?

Answer 7

less than 20 = Profound learning disability

Severe limitations in self-care, continence, communication and mobility

Question 8

What is the UK’s most common cause of learning disability?

Answer 8

Down’s Syndrome

Question 9

What is the cause of Down’s Syndrome?

Answer 9

Chromosomal abnormality:

• Trisomy 21 (95%)
• Translocation (4%)
• Mosaicism (1%)

Question 10

What are the external physical characteristics associated with Down’s Syndrome?

Answer 10

Short stature, rounded skull, slope of palpebral fissures, epicanthic fold, single palmar crease, hypotonia

Question 11

True or false: The incidence of Down’s Syndrome increases to 1 in 100 with maternal age of 45.

Answer 11

False, it increases to 1 in 30!

At 25yo, the incidence of Down’s Syndrome is 1 in 1400.

Question 12

Down’s Syndrome increases the risk of which pathological abnormalities?

Answer 12

Epilepsy

Alzheimer’s Dementia

Cataracts

Hypothyroidism

Oesophageal atresia

Cardiac malformation

• ASD
• VSD

Chest infection

Transient Leukaemia

Question 13

What is the leading preventable non-genetic cause of learning disability?

Answer 13

Foetal alcohol syndrome

Question 14

What are the facial features characteristic of foetal alcohol syndrome?

Answer 14

Indistinct philtrum, low nasal bridge, epicanthal folds, short palpebral fissures, flat midface, short nose, thin upper lip, micrognathia, minor ear abnormalities

Question 15

What is the most common inherited cause of learning disability?

Answer 15

Fragile X

1 in 4000 males
1 in 6000 females

Question 16

What is the cause of Fragile X?

Answer 16

Expansion triplet repeat

CGG in FMR-1 gene

Question 17

What are the common features of Fragile X?

Answer 17

• Learning disability (mild-profound)
• Delayed motor milestones
• Speech and language delay
• Large testicles
• Prominent forehead
• Prominent jaw
• Narrow face
• Long ears
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Autism-like traits
• Hyperactivity

Question 18

What is autism?

Answer 18

Characterised by:

• Difficulties with social interaction including verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Restricted and repetitive behaviours.