Spectrum Disorder Case Flashcards
what is meant by learning disability?
- A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information or learn new skills (impaired intelligence) with
- A reduced ability to cope independently (social function) which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development.
- Also called “special needs”
what is considered as having a mild learning disability?
85% of the LD population
Can generally learn reading, writing and maths.
May have jobs and live independently
what is considered as having a moderate learning disability?
10% of LD population
May be able to learn basic reading and writing.
Able to learn functional skills such as safety and self-help.
Require some type of supervision/oversight
what is considered as having a severe learning disability?
5% of LD population
Probably not able to read and write although may they may learn self-help and routines. Require supervision in their daily activities and living environment
what is considered as having a profound learning disability?
1% of LD population
Requires intensive support. May be able to communicate by verbal or other means. May have medical conditions that require ongoing nursing and therapy
what is not a learning disability?
• Problems with reading, writing or numeracy only = learning difficulty
• Emotional difficulties not linked
• Always linked to conditions like
– Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
– Autism including Asperger’s syndrome
– what is a learning disability- Having a learning disability means that people find it harder to learn certain life skill eg DS
what is the definition of autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.
They don’t interact with someone in the same way
why is autism known as spectrum?
• Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience. ASD occurs in all ethnic, racial, and economic groups. Occurs more in males than females
what is meant by high functioning autism spectrum?
requiring support, difficulty initiating social interactions, inflexibility of behaviour, difficulty switching activities. problems with organisation
what is characteristics of autism?
requiring substantial support. marked deficits with social interactions: inflexibility of behaviour . difficulty or distress coping with change. repetitive behaviours
what are the characteristic of severe autism?
requiring substantial support. marked deficits with social interactions: inflexibility of behaviour . extreme difficulty or distress coping with change. repetitive behaviours interfere with functioning
what are the causes of autism?
• NOT related to bad parenting, food allergies, vaccines or parents with high or low intelligence
• No one cause of autism has been identified
• Genetic influences are likely most important risk factor
– But not only cause (MZ twin studies < 100%)
• Cause is likely multifactorial- doesn’t know what it means
• Physiology and environment are ALWAYS interacting from day 1
• May be several types of autism with different causes
what are the characteristics of autism?
People with autism generally experience three main areas of difficulty: how you relate to other people
- Social Communication,
- Social Interaction
- Social Imagination
how does social communications affect people with autism?
Social communication is where people understand:
• Facial expressions
• Tone of voice
• Common gestures
• Eye contact
• Body language
People with autism may struggle with this
how does social interactions affect people with autism?
Social interaction is where people:
• Understand their own and other people’s feelings and emotions
• Social Intelligence test - Read the eyes
• Form relationships and making friends.
People with autism may struggle with this and can appear aloof, indifferent
and withdrawn.
how does social imagination affect people with autism?
. Social Imagination
Social imagination is the ability to comprehend:
• Abstract concepts and ideas
• People’s actions, emotions,
behaviours and consequences
• Solutions to life outside of their routines.
Those with autism may find this very difficult
what is meant by theory of mind?
- refers to the notion that many autistic individuals do not understand that other people have their own plans, thoughts, and points of view.
- A demonstration
- Questionnaire from University of Cambridge professor Simon Baron-Cohen
what is meant by adherence?
- Adherence has been defined as the “active, voluntary, and collaborative involvement of the patient in a mutually acceptable course of behaviour to produce a therapeutic result.”
- Compliance usually refers to whether patients take their medications as prescribed (eg, twice daily)
what is meant by non- adherence?
- estimated, in adults, to be between 30 and 50% for prescribed medication, depending on the disease and the health care system
- estimated, in children, to be between 4% and 92% and between 30-40% in chronic illness
- E.g. in patients with ADHD, it is estimated that most discontinue therapy after 4 months and approximately 20% stop after the first prescription.
what can we do to give medicine to children ?
- Manipulate adult formulations
- Liquid formulations
- Tablets
how can we manipulate adult formulations to give to children?
- Crushing tablets or opening capsules and mixing the content with food or drink
- Halving or quartering tablets
- Diluting concentrated liquid preparations
- Cutting or ‘halving’ suppositories
what are the problems with manipulating adult formulations?
- Increased risk of error
- Possible bioavailability issues. Higher bioavailability when there is a greater surface area and then may cause side effects
- Increased risk of ADRs
- Issues with supply – not licenced and the pharmacist will be held liable if things go wrong
- Child refusal
what considerations must be taken when giving liquid suspensions to children?
• Shaking the suspension- settles so the dosing is inaccurate if not shaken.
• Stability of medicine. Things in water is not stable as bacteria is a medium for bacteria growth.
• Transportation & Cost
• Accuracy of measuring device
• Volume – too small – inaccurate
too large – adherence problem
• Need for excipients – possible safety issues
• Taste masking but too nice overdose problem?
what considerations must be taken when giving tablets to children?
• What age can children take tablets? 6 yrs old
• Few studies show children around age 6 can swallow tablets
• By 11 year olds - 91% can take tablets
• Depends on:
– Size & shape tablet
– Taste of alternative
– Delayed in certain conditions