Learning Disability

Question 1

Definition of Intellectual/learning Disability

Answer 1

Significant impairment of intelligence - IQ < 70
Significant impairment of adaptive functioning
Both impairments evident before adulthood
Not learning difficulty ( one area such as dyslexia) or acquired brain injury

Question 2

Epidemiology of learning disability

Answer 2

Associated with neurological disorders
- 50% of those with cerebral palsy
- 40% with severe learning disability have epilepsy
More likely to experience visual and auditory impairments
Slightly more females to males
25/50% of those with LD have experience mental ill health
Significantly reduced life expectancy relative to general population

Question 3

Causes of LD

Answer 3

Perinatal causes
- biomedical ……………………..
Post natal
- biomedical - epilepsy, meningitis, measles, infections
- environmental - head injury, non-accidental injury, poisoning, malnutrition, social deprivation

Question 4

Classification of ID

Answer 4

Mild = IQ 69-50
Moderate = 49-35
Severe/profound = < 34