Learning Difficulties/Disabilities Flashcards
What is a learning difficulty?
a difficulty in just one aspect - e.g. maths
What is a learning disability?
a global impairment of cognition
What is the diagnostic criteria for a learning disability?
IQ <70
occurs <18 years
deficits in adaptive functioning
What IQ constitutes a mild LD?
50-69
What is a baseline normal IQ?
70
What IQ constitutes a moderate LD?
35-49
What IQ constitutes a severe LD?
20-34
What IQ constitutes a profound LD?
<20
What is the mental age of somebody with borderline LD (IQ of 70-84)?
12-15 years
What are the charactersistics of somebody with a mild LD?
mental age = 9-12yrs
delayed speech
independence
struggles with reading or writing
What are the charactersistics of somebody with a moderate LD?
mental age = 6 - <9yrs
delayed self care and motor skills
slow language and comprehension
epilepsy and physical disability common
What are the characteristics of somebody with a severe LD?
mental age 3 - <6yrs
epilepsy and marked impairment globally
What are the characteristics of somebody with a profound LD?
mental age <3
little/no self care
severely restricted mobility wise
What chromosomal abnormalities lead to learning disabilities?
trisomy 21
patau syndrome - trisomy 13
edwards syndrome - trisomy 18
What genetic conditions can cause LDs?
Cri du chat Anglemann 15Q Prader Willi 15Q Velocardiofacial syndrome Williams syndrome Phenylketonuria Mucopolysaccharidoses Neurliposes Tuberous Sclerosis Congenital hypothyroidism Lesch Nyhan Syndrome
What prenatal factors can lead to LDs?
maternal infection - rubella, CMV, toxoplasmosis
exposure to medication or drugs
poor diet and substance missuse
alcohol foetal syndrome
What perinatal factors can lead to LDs?
neonatal septicaemia pneumonia meningitis/encephalitis birth injury/problems and delivery newborn complications
What postnatal factors can lead to LDs?
CNS infections vascular accindents tumours hypoxic brain injury head injury NAI exposure to toxic agents congenital hypothyroidism
Why do people with learning difficulties often develop mental disorders? (esp schizophrenia)
organic brain vulnerability
learned helplessnesss
life events
social deprivation/disavantage
What treatment can be given for learning disabilities?
CBT or psychodynamic therapy hearing aids, glasses, signing antipyshcotics antidepressants anticonvulsants
