Prof. Elham Aljammas 23/3/2014
Specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasiaCharacteristics Hyperactivity Perceptual-motor impairments Emotional Lability Coordination deficits Attention disorders Impulsivity Memory & thinking disorders Specific learning disabilities Speech & hearing disorders Equivocal neurological signs
No known cause Possible causes: Neurological Genetic Environmental Prenatal Perinatal Postnatal
Mental retardation is IQ =70 Impairment across a wide range of functions Onset during childhood
Though there is no known cause of learning disabilities, there are many techniques and strategies that teachers can use to help students identified with learning disabilities acquire knowledge and skills and to experience success.
Variables mild moderate severe --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IQ 69-50 49-35 <35 % of cases 85% 10% 5% Self care independent needs some help limited Language reasonable limited basic/no R.& Writing === basic minimal/no Ability to work semiskilled Unskilled- supervised Superv.ba.S Physical prob. Rare sometime common Etiology discovered sometime often usuall
Causes of MR Genetic Obstetric complications In utero infection& complications Perinatal complications Other factors Cerebral palsy Hydrocephalus Spina bifida
Conditions associated with mental retardation Chromosomal abnormalities Down's syndrome Trisomy 21.commonest causes of MR .Incidence of 1/650live birth.related to maternal age. Features Moderate or severe mental retardation Flaccid temperament Physical features Slanted eyes & epicanthic folds Small mouth with furrowed tongue Flat nose Flattened occiput Stubby hand with single transverse palmer crease Hypotonia
Associated medical problems Cardiac septal defect Gastrointestinal obstruction Atlanto axial instability Susceptibility to infection Increased incidence of lymphoma & hypothyroidism
Fragile X syndrome Fragile site on the long arm of the X chromosome seen when cells are grown in folate deficient medium,2nd commonest cause of MR(1 in 500brths),commoner in male, gets worse with succeeding generation . There is no specific treatment, Methylphenidate &folic acid may improve the attention deficit
Features of fragile X syndrome . Mental retardation may be mild, moderate , severe, or profound. Gets worse late in childhood Performance IQ is affected more than verbal IQ Litany speech: repetitive lacking in themes or content Poor concentration& attention Autistic features common Physical features Large protruding ears long face with high arched palate Flat feet ,lax joints, soft skin, large testis, mitral valve prolapsed
Single gene disorders Phenylketonuria(PKU) Is the classic inborn error of metabolism. The amino acid phenylalanine can't be converted to Para tyrosine because of the absence of the converting enzyme. It is AR.affect 1 in 10000 births causing 1%of severe MR . Features of PKU Severe MR Tantrum & unpredictable aggression Abnormal movement & mannerism Fair skin Short stature Associated medical problems Eczema,vomiting&seizures
Examples of metabolic disorders associated with MR Metabolic category example Amino acid homocystineuria Lipid tay-sachs disease Mucopolysaccarides Hurlers syndrome Carbohydrates galactosaemia Purines lesch- Nyhan Synd.