Lecture 7.2: Learning Disabilities and Difficulties

Question 1

Types of Intelligence: Crystallised

Answer 1

• Can improve through education and
  experience
• E.g. vocabulary, general knowledge

Question 2

Types of Intelligence: Fluid

Answer 2

• Tends to be static
• E.g. non-verbal reasoning

Question 3

What is Intelligence?

Answer 3

Intelligence is the global and aggregate capacity of an individual to think rationally, to act purposefully, and to deal effectively with the environment

Question 4

What is a Disability?

Answer 4

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal
day-to-day activities

Question 5

Normal Intelligence Classifications (IQ)

Answer 5

• 130 & Above
  : Exceptionally High
• 120-129: High
• 110-119: High Average
• 90-109: Average
• 80- 89: Low Average
• 70-79: Low

Question 6

What is the Flynn Effect?

Answer 6

The Flynn Effect is the substantial and long-sustained increase in both fluid and crystallised intelligence test scores that were measured in many parts of the world over the 20th century

Question 7

How much have IQ scores increased per decade?

Answer 7

IQ scores have risen by 3 points (a fifth of standard deviation) per
decade)

Question 8

Intellectual Disability (IQ)

Answer 8

• Profound: < 20
• Severe: 20 to 34
• Moderate: 35 to 49
• Mild: 50 to 70

Question 9

Intellectual disabilities are characterised by limited functioning in….?

Answer 9

• Social skills (communicating with
  others)
• Conceptual skills (literacy,
  numeracy, language)
• Practical ability (self-care)

Question 10

Intellectual Disability defined in the International Classification of Diseases 10/11 (WHO 2010)

Answer 10

A condition of arrested or incomplete development of the mind, which is especially characterised by impairment of skills manifested during the developmental period, which contribute to the overall
level of intelligence (e.g. cognition, language, motor and social abilities)

Question 11

How many people have learning disabilities?

Answer 11

• It is estimated that 1.2 million
  people have a learning disability
• More men than women

Question 12

International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (5)

Answer 12

• Moves away from the intellectual
  and academic
• Includes quality of life
• Mental health
• Organisation, including time
• Social and emotional factors

Question 13

Learning Disabilities: Syndromes (3)

Answer 13

• Down Syndrome
• Fragile X Syndrome
• Williams Syndrome

Question 14

Down Syndrome Overview

Answer 14

• Extra copy of chromosome 21
  through non-disjunction (failure to
  separate)
• More likely to occur when mothers
  are older
• Brain seems normal at birth but is
  abnormal by around age 35
• Neuropathological features of
  Alzheimer’s are evident

Question 15

Down Syndrome Brain Abnormality

Answer 15

• Brain becomes micro-cephalic
• Volume reduction in the.
  hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and
  cerebellum
• Progressive IQ decline: by
  adulthood within the range 25-55
• Delays in speech and language,
  such as articulation, sentence
  length and syntax
• Problems with short and long term
  memory, adaptive behaviour and
  executive functions

Question 16

Working with LD Patients

Answer 16

• Talk to them as people, not over
  them
• Be aware that they do not process
  information easily, but will indicate
  that they have
• Acknowledge that they have the
  same emotions and feelings as
  others
• Recognise that they will have
  problems with memory, as well as
  organisation and time estimation

Question 17

Categories of Learning Disabilities

Answer 17

• Reading Disorder: Dyslexia
• Disorder of Arithmetic Skills:
  Dyscalculia
• Disorder of Written Expression:
  Dysgraphia
• Motor Skills Disorder: Dyspraxia

Question 18

What is a Learning Difficulties?

Answer 18

Neurodevelopmental disorders that impede the ability to learn or use
specific skills that form the foundation for other learning (reading, writing, spelling, maths). They are ‘unexpected’ in that other aspects of development are fine

Question 19

What comes under Biology/Neurology? (2)

Answer 19

• Structural: neuro-anatomic studies
• Functional: fMRi

Question 20

What comes under Cognition? (5)

Answer 20

• Phonological processing
• Verbal short term memory
• Naming ability
• Working memory
• Executive functions

Question 21

What comes under Behaviour? (4)

Answer 21

• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Organisation
• Time Estimation

Question 22

What is ADHD?

Answer 22

• A persistent pattern of inattention
  and/or hyperactivity, impulsivity that
  interferes with functioning or.
  development
• Genetic in origin
• Structural & functional differences
  in the brain

Question 23

How is ADHD Treated?

Answer 23

• Medication: stimulants that increase
  activity in the brain, particularly in
  areas that play a part in controlling
  attention and behaviour
• Management

Question 24

Interventions for Learning Disabilities

Answer 24

• Developing Skills
• Using Assistive Technology.
• Adjustments
• Medications

Question 25

Learning Disability vs Difficulty

Answer 25

• A learning disability constitutes a
  condition which affects learning and
  intelligence across all areas of life
• A learning difficulty constitutes a
  condition which creates an obstacle
  to a specific form of learning, but
  does not affect the overall IQ of an
  individual