Learning disabilities

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Learning disability is a general umbrella term encompassing a range of different conditions that affect the ability of the child to develop new skills.

Question 2

Types of learning difficulties

Answer 2

• Dyslexia: specific difficulty in reading, writing, and spelling
• Dysgraphia: specific difficulty in writing.
• Dyspraxia, AKA developmental co-ordination disorder = specific type of difficulty in physical co-ordination. MC in boys. It presents with delayed gross and fine motor skills and a child that appears clumsy.
• Auditory processing disorder = specific difficulty in processing auditory information.
• Non-verbal learning disability = specific difficulty in processing non-verbal information, e.g, body language and facial expressions.
• Profound and multiple learning disability: severe difficulties across multiple areas, often requiring help with all aspects of daily life.

Question 3

Classification

Answer 3

The severity of the learning disability is based on the IQ (intelligence quotient):
- 55 – 70: Mild
- 40 – 55: Moderate
- 25 – 40: Severe
- Under 25: Profound

Question 4

Causes

Answer 4

No clear cause. Assosciations:
- FHx
- Environmental factors: abuse, neglect, psychological trauma, and toxins
- Genetic disorders e.g: Downs syndrome
- Antenatal problems:
= fetal alcohol syndrome
= maternal chickenpox
- Problems at birth,
= prematurity
= HIE
- Problems in early childhood:
= Meningitis
- Autism
- Epilepsy

Question 5

Management

Answer 5

The key to managing learning disability is with a multidisciplinary approach to support the parents and child. This involves:
- Health visitors
- Social workers
- Schools
- Educational psychologists
- Paediatricians, GPs and nurses
- Occupational therapists
- Speech and language therapists

Question 6

Capacity

Answer 6

Important to remember that capacity is decision specific, and having learning disability does not prevent patients from being able to make decisions.

Question 7

What determines capacity?

Answer 7

• Understand the decision that needs to be made
• Retain the information long enough to make the decision
• Weight up the options and the implications of choosing each option
• Communicate their decision