Learning Disabilities

Question 1

What is a Learning Disability?

Answer 1

*Has no exact causes (may be pre-natal, genetic, illness (meningitis), injury, loss oxygen at birth)
* Significant reduced ability to learn new or complex information
* Reduced ability to cope independently (executive func.)
* Starts before 18, lasts throughout lifetime
* Not a learning difficulty

Question 2

What is the difference between a Learning Disability and a Learning Difficulty?

Answer 2

• Learning Disability is a global impairment impacting social functionality
  *Learning disability has IQ <70, learning difficulty >70
• Learning disability onset before age 18 and lasts a lifetime, learning difficulty can be diagnosed at any age
  *Learning difficulty can include ASD, Dyslexia. Dyspraxia etc

Question 3

What is PMLD?

Answer 3

Profound and Multiple Learning Disability

Question 4

What are the characteristics of PMLD?

Answer 4

• Severe LD can co-occur with other disability (e.g. Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, PEG feeding, ASD)
• Description not diagnosis
• Heterogeneous/different for individs.
• Affects communication and independence
• May have sensory needs
• Physical disability
• Complex needs
• MH or challenging behave.

Question 5

Trysomy 21 is the main feature of what disability?

Answer 5

Downs Syndrome

Question 6

What is Downs Syndrome and what are the characteristics?

Answer 6

• 3x 21 Chromosome
  Individuals can have:
• Sleep apnea
• Inability to function independently
• socialisation
• Highly visual learners
• Cataracts
  *High soft palate
  *Protruding tongue
  *Leukemia
  *Conductive hearing loss

Question 7

What models/frameworks can be used to support someone with LD?

Answer 7

Means, Reasons & Opportunities
Who-ICF
Building Capability model
Lundy Model of Participation