Learning Disability Flashcards
What is Learning disability?
Condition of arrested/incomplete development of the mind, characterised by impairment of skills manifested during the developmental period
- IQ ≤70
- significant limitations in adaptive functioning in at least 2 areas
onset before the age of 18
How is Learning Disability classified based on IQ?
- Mild - IQ 69-50
- Moderate - IQ 49-35
- Severe - IQ 34-20
- Profound - IQ <20
What are the likely impairments faced by people with the following classifications of LD?
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Profound
- likely to result in some learning difficulties in school, but many will be able to work and maintain good social relationships and contribute to society
- marked developmental delays in childhood, but most can learn to develop some degree of independence in self-care and acquire adequate communication and academic skills. generally better receptive than expressive language
- increased sensory and motor deficits; likely to require continuous need of support.
- severe limitations in functioning
Name the 6 areas of functioning which are used in the ICF to measure functioning and disability
- cognition
- mobility
- self care
- interactions with others
- life activities
- participation
Name some prenatal causes of LD
- genetics
- pre-eclampsia
- foetal alcohol syndrome
- congenital hypothyroidism
- TORCH infection
- exposure to teratogens
- maternal illness
Name some Perinatal causes of LD
- brain trauma and hypoxia
- neonatal septicaemia
- menningitis/encephalitis
- respiratory distress
- hypoglycaemia
- intracranial haemorrhage
Name some postnatal causes of LD
- CNS infections
- vascular accidents
- head inury
- chronic lead poisoning
- tumours
- poverty
- neglect and abuse
Describe clinical features of LD
- failure to meet expected developmental milestones
- impaired cognitive, language, motor and social skills
- behavioural disturbances - hyperactivity, aggression, inattention, abnormal movements, repeated self harming behaviours
- physical disorders such as sensory and motor disabilities, epilepsy and incontinence
How does the epidemiology of Schizophrenia differ in people with LD
- 3x more common
- age of onset tends to be earlier
How may schizophrenia present in people with LD?
- negative symptoms may predominate
- deterioration in previous level of functioning
- unexplained aggression/out of character behaviours
- increased mannerisms and stereotypical behaviours
How may depression present in people with LD?
- biological/somatic features tend to be more marked, with diurnal variations
- loss of appetite
- sleep disturbance
- anhedonia
- speech and motor retardation
Describe biological factors associated with LD attributed to the onset and maintenance of mental health problems
- genetic vulnerability
- brain damage
- physical disability
- sensory impairment
- medication
- co-morbid epilepsy
Describe social factors associated with LD attributed to the onset and maintenance of mental health problems
- limited opportunities - social outings, employment
- lack of finance
- lack of support
- reduced access to transport
- exploitation
- poor housing
- lack of choice
- stigma
Describe psychological factors associated with LD attributed to the onset and maintenance of mental health problems
- personality
- lack of assertiveness
- life events
- dependence on others
- learning experiences
- coping style
What is diagnostic overshadowing?
a tendency to attribute all other problems to that diagnosis, therefore leaving other conditions undiagnosed
