Lecture week Flashcards
What is a learning disability? (3)
A person with:
- An IQ <70
- Loss of adaptive social functioning
- Onset before the age of 18
What term is interchangeable with learning disability, and often used in USA, Canada and Australia?
Intellectual disability
When are people with cognitive impairments, not classed as having a disability? (3)
- People who develop an impairment after the age of 18
- People who suffer brain injury in accidents after the age of 18
- People with complex medical conditions which affect their intellectual abilities and which develop after the age of 18 e.g. Huntington’s chorea, Alzheimer’s disease
Which IQ range is associated with a mild impairment, often the language is fair and sensory/motor deficits slight
IQ 50-69
What is the IQ for someone with a moderate impairment and what does that equate to in terms of language abilities?
IQ 25-49 - generally better receptive than expressive language
What is a severe IQ, and how many of those with this range will have epilepsy?
IQ 20-34 - 50% will have epilepsy, with increased sensory and motor deficits
What are the causes of learning disabilities? (3)
Often the cause is not known, however:
- Pre-natal; genetic or congenital e.g. Down’s or Fragile X, maternal drug or alcohol use e.g. foetal alcohol syndrome
- During birth (peri-natal); oxygen deprivation during birth injury secondary to birth complications and difficulties resulting from premature birth
- Post-natal; illnesses, injury or environmental conditions
What are the 3 common causes of learning disabilities that are important to know about?
- Down’s syndrome
- Fragile X
- Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
What is the most common inherited cause of a learning disability?
Fragile X
What % of people with epilepsy have a learning disability?
30%
What % of people with tuberous sclerosis have a learning disability?
50%
Which conditions are people with Down syndrome more at risk of developing? (7)
- Congenital cardiac problems: ASD/VSD
- Cataracts
- Hypothyroidism
- Chest infection
- Transient leukaemia
- Epilepsy
- Dementia
What % of people with foetal alcohol syndrome have a learning disability?
25-30%
What are the 3 key features of foetal alcohol syndrome?
- Growth retardation
- Characteristic facial features
- CNS abnormalities/dysfunction
What are the facial features associated with foetal alcohol syndrome? (5)
- Low nasal bridge
- Epicanthic folds
- Flat mid face and short nose
- Indistinct philtrum
- Micrognathia
What are the three areas of characteristics that people with autism have difficulty with?
- Social interaction
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Restricted and repetitive behaviours
What are the other associated symptoms of autism? (3)
- Unusual sensory perceptions
- Physical clumsiness
- Dietary restrictions