What is Learning Disabilty or Intellectual Disability?
Learning disability is a significant condition which starts from childhood. It may affect a child’s development and learning milestones.
Hence, children with learning disability might need help to understand information, learn skills, and cope independently.
It is useful to know that learning difficulties or neurodevelopment disorders, such as ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia and speech/ language difficulties are not defined as learning disability.
What causes Learning Disability?
Learning Disability is a feature of many medical conditions, such as Down syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, and other neurogenetic disorders.
What Are The Common Co-Occurring Conditions?
Individuals with Learning Disability may experience co-occurring conditions that can impact their overall health and well-being.
In general, individuals with learning disabilities have more physical health problems, such as respiratory illness and cardiovascular disorders, and other neurological disorders, such as e.g. Tics & Tourette syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy. 40-50% of the learning disability population may have mental issues. 60% have a visual impairment, and 40% have hearing impairment. They are more likely to be underweight or obese than the general population.
How is Learning Disability diagnosed?
A diagnosis of learning disability requires educational needs assessment by educational psychologist. Learning disability is mainly established by a person’s intelligence quotient (IQ of 70 or below). Some children may require specialised tests administered by neuropsychologist.
How do we support children with Learning Disabilities?
It is essential that children with Learning Disability receive support and help at home, school, with friends and community. In Singapore, The Ministry of Education oversees support for students with learning difficulties or special educational needs, while the Ministry of Health oversees support related to mental health.
Your paediatrician or developmental paediatrician may refer you to Paediatric Neurologist for further neurological evaluation or investigations after your child’s diagnosis, and it is important to manage the associated conditions such as Tics & Tourette Syndrome, Seizures & Epilepsy, or Developmental Delay.
