Learning Disability

Question 1

ICD10 Definition? (3)

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Causes? (4)

Other associated conditions include? (5)

Answer 2

Pre-natal: genetic or congenital (trisomy 21 or Fragile X), FAS
Peri-natal (during birth): e.g. birth asphyxia
Post-natal: illness, injury
Multifactorial cause

Cerebral Palsy
Autism
Epilepsy (30%)
Prader-Willi 
Tuberous sclerosis

Question 3

What are the feature of FAS? (8)

Answer 3

Learning difficulties 
growth retardation
short ­palpebral fissure
flat nasal bridge 
upward nose
thin vermillion border/hypoplastic upper lip
smooth/absent filtrum
Microcephaly

Question 4

LD mental health symptoms? (7)

Answer 4

Depression 
Dementia
Anxiety
Psychosis
Epilepsy (SUDEP)
Self-care and regression
Psychomotor retardation

Question 5

How can depression and anxiety present differently in patients with LD’s? What key metabolic disorder needs to be rule out?

Answer 5

Anxiety can be a feature of every day life due to lack of confidence and inability to comprehend or unpredictability
Hypothyroidism

Question 6

What paradigm for assessing behaviour problems?

Answer 6

ABC:
Antecedant
Behaviour
Consequence

Question 7

Degrees of Learning Disabilities? (4)

Answer 7

Mild (IQ: 50-69) - Language fair. Sensory and motor deficits slight, reasonable level of independence

Moderate (IQ: 35-49) - Generally better receptive (Wernicke’s) than expressive language (Broca)

Severe (IQ: 20-34) - Increased sensory and motor deficits. 50% will have epilepsy

Profound (IG: <20) - Increased need & vulnerability. Developmental level about 12 months

Question 8

What is not a learning disability? (4P’s)

Answer 8

People who have LD after 18 years

People who suffer brain injury in accidents after the age of 18

People with complex medical condition that develop after 18 years old –> Huntington’s chorea, AD\

People with specific learning difficulties e.g. dyslexia, delayed speech, language development, literacy problems