Y4 - Learning Disability

Question 1

What is it that causes LDs?

Answer 1

When a person’s brain development is affected either before, during or after birth

Can be caused by things like genes, maternal illness during pregnancy, problems during birth, personal illness/injury, e.g. meningitis

Question 2

What conditions are strongly associated with LDs?

Answer 2

Cerebral palsy
ASD
Epilepsy
ADHD

Question 3

What is diagnostic overshadowing?

Answer 3

Presenting complaint is ascribed to the LD as opposed to another treatable cause

Question 4

What health inequalities do people with LDs experience?

Answer 4

Social exclusion 
Socio-economic deprivation 
Inaccessible services
Discrimination 
Lack of appropriate skills/knowledge in professionals
Minimal evidence base for research 
Lower life expectancy 
Increased risk of death when ill
Different causes of mortality, e.g. respiratory infection and dementia really common causes

Question 5

What is stress ad distress behaviour?

Answer 5

Challenging behaviours that tend to indicate an underlying problem

Question 6

What are some stress and distress behaviours?

Answer 6

Pica (eating inedible objects) 
Property destruction 
Self-harm 
Harm to others
Sexually inappropriate behaviour
Wandering
Excessively demanding/oppositional

Question 7

How do you manage stress and distress behaviour?

Answer 7

Good communication - e.g. use of non-verbal cues, sign language/Makaton, symbols
Explain things clearly
Meet with person several times to establish trust and rapport
Use knowledge and support of carers

Question 8

What is the purpose of the LD community team?

Answer 8

Multi-disciplinary and multi-agency
Involved in assessment and management of difficulties associated with profound and multiple disabilities
Consultant and liaison with other healthcare/support workers

Question 9

What is involved in the AWIA capacity assessment?

Answer 9

To have capacity you must be able to:

1. Understand the information presented to you
2. Retain it long enough to
3. Weigh it in balance and come to a
4. Decision which you are able to
5. Communicate

Must make every effort to ensure person is able to communicate

Question 10

Under the AWIA what can you use to treat a patient when they are unable to give consent?

Answer 10

Section 47 forms: used to legalise treatment which the person cannot to

Welfare guardian: guardian looking after best interests of subject

Question 11

What is involved in the adult support and protection act 2007?

Answer 11

Adults at risk -
Adults aged 16+ who:
- Are unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or other interests AND
- Are at risk of harm
- Because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected