Learning disabilities/Intellectual disabilities

Question 1

What is the ICD 10 definition of a Learning disability/Intellectual disability?

Answer 1

• IQ under 70
• Loss of adaptive social functioning
• Onset before the age of 18

Question 2

What is meant by learning difficulty and is it the same thing?

Answer 2

• Different to learning difficulty:
o Educational term
o Includes dyslexia

Question 3

What are some of the causes of learning disabilities?

Answer 3

•	Syndromes e.g. Down’s syndrome
•	Epilepsy – associated with:	
o	Sleep disturbances
o	Mood changes
o	Self harm

Question 4

What are some of the complications of learning disabilities?

Answer 4

•	Higher risk of 
o	Dementia
o	Mental health issue
o	Psychiatric disorders 
o	Physical health problems often being missed
o	Behavioural changes being put down to learning disabilities alone
o	Obese
o	Early death
o	Hearing and vision problems

Question 5

What is meant by safeguarding?

Answer 5

• The function of protecting adults and children from abuse and neglect
• Especially important for those people who are vulnerable

Question 6

What is the metal capacity act?

Answer 6

• Statutory framework for acting and making decisions on behalf of individuals who lack the mental capacity to do so for themselve

Question 7

What are IMCA’s?

Answer 7

Independent mental capacity advisors

Ensures final decision is made in the patients best interest

Question 8

On what things so IMCAs give their opinion on and what is the mnemonic to remember this?

Answer 8

 Serious medical treatment
 Long term residential care
 In hospital >28 days/care home >8 weeks
 Discretionary basis

SLID

Question 9

What is Deprivation of liberty (DOLs)?

Answer 9

A legal way of being able to keep people in a hospital/care home against their own will because it is in their best interst