Workshop 3: Workshop 3 - (Pharmaceutical) Care and Treatment of patients with learning disability

Question 1

1. What is a Learning Difficulty and how does it differ from a Learning Disability (LD)?

Answer 1

A learning difficulty is defined as a difficulty in acquiring knowledge and skills to the normal level expected
of those of the same age but does not affect general intelligence. Eg. dyslexia, ADHD

Whereas, a learning disability includes the presence of a significantly reduces ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills with a reduced ability to cope independently

Question 2

2. What are the main causes of being born with a Learning Disability?

Answer 2

A learning disability occurs when the brain is still developing. Causes may be certain genetic conditions, maternal accident during pregnancy, prematurity, lack of oxygen during childbrith, early childhood illness

Question 3

What are the main features which define a diagnosis of learning disability in the UK?

Answer 3

Defined by 3 core criteria: lower intellectual ability (usually defined as an IQ of less than 70), significant impairment of social or adaptive functioning and onset in childhood.

4 degrees of learning disability:

• mild (an IQ of 50–
  69)
• moderate (an IQ of 35–49)
• Severe (an IQ of 20–34)
• Profound (an IQ of less than 20).

Question 4

What is the prevalence of LD amongst the general population and what trends are emerging in the incidence of LD?

Answer 4

Prevalence is 2%, it has stayed the same. The number of incidence is decreasing due to better screening and less substance issues

Question 5

What are the features of Down’s Syndrome and how is it caused?

Answer 5

Physical characteristics – almond shaped eyes, flat facial profile, short stature, small ear.
Cognitive and developmental characteristics – delays in speech and language development
Increased risk of medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, GI issues
Behavioural and social characteristics – often friendly and sociable
Causes – presence of an extra chromosome 21 in each cell of the body. Trisomy 21 typically occurs due to an error during the formation of an egg or sperm, leading to an extra chromosome in the fertilized egg.

Question 6

Which co-morbidities commonly occur in some with learning difficulties?

Answer 6

Epilepsy

Mental health problems

Diabetes – people with a learning disability may have a lifestyle that increases their risk of
developing diabetes, eg, poor diet and lack of physical activity. They may also be prescribed
medicines that increase the risk of diabetes, eg, antipsychotics