Presentation

Question 1

What is learning disabilities?

Answer 1

Learning disability is a lifelong condition, which impacts on the individual’s educational, social, economic, and life choices. There is a high prevalence of communication and swallowing disabilities occurring in this population

Question 2

Communication difficulties are associated with increased

Answer 2

prevalence of challenging behaviour

Question 3

Learning disability includes the presence of:

Answer 3

A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence), with
A reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning); which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development.

Question 4

Dysphagia

Answer 4

Check for any anterior saliva loss, facial mechanisms.
key risk area for people with learning disabilities. Eating and drinking difficulties are often undiagnosed or untreated (Kerr et al, 2003). Aspiration risk and death from aspiration pneumonia has been highlighted in the Mencap Reports.

Question 5

Most common causes

Answer 5

common causes of learning disability are associated with inherited conditions such as chromosomal abnormalities - Down’s Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome are not learning disabilities in themselves, but people with these conditions are likely to have an accompanying learning disability.

Question 6

Communication difficulties

Answer 6

Up to 80% of people with learning disability have communication difficulties, with 50% having significant difficulties.
Understanding speech, writing and symbols, and interpreting environmental sounds
Having a sufficient vocabulary to express a range of needs, ideas or emotions
Being able to construct a sentence
Maintaining focus and concentration in order to communicate
Fluency, e.g. stammering
Being able to articulate clearly which may be due to related physical factors
Social skills, a lack of which may prevent positive interactions with people

Question 7

May not recieve appropriate communication support, leading to…

Answer 7

Problems in: Social interaction
Restricted ability to choose and control environment
Development of language skills
Initiating communication
Learning
Developing life skills; and
Participating in education and employment

Question 8

Activity and Participation Risks

Answer 8

Lack of or loss of identity
Depression
Passivity/learned helplessness
Reduced learning opportunities
Isolation
Challenging behaviour
Risk of harm or abuse; and
Failure to reach potential in life

Question 9

Challenging behaviour

Answer 9

have increased risk of developing challenging behaviour, which is often used as a mode of communication. This can include physical aggression directed at themselves or others, damage to the environment, and sexually inappropriate behaviour.

Question 10

Education and Work

Answer 10

36% of people with learning disabilities are undertaking some form of education. People with learning difficulties often have low incomes and few personal possessions (Enderby & Davies, 1989).

Question 11

Social Impacts/Presentation

Answer 11

65% of people with learning disabilities claim to have been bullied, with 38% saying it happens regularly (Scottish Executive, 2000)

Question 12

Health Considerations

Answer 12

Epilepsy
Visual impairment
Hearing impairment
Swallowing problems (dysphagia)

Question 13

Mental Health

Answer 13

people with learning disabilities are at risk from lack of understanding around health information, leading to illness or disease being misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, and therefore mistreated or untreated (NPSA, 2004).