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Learning Disability

What are the causes?

Learning disability may occur in isolation, in association with other sensory or physical handicaps, or as part of a recognisable genetic syndrome. Emotional and behavioural difficulties are common in individuals who have a learning disability, for a variety of biological, psychological and social reasons. Assessment and management of such difficulties can be problematic and may require a specialist multi-disciplinary team involving professionals from health, education and social services as well as the private and voluntary sector.

The cause of learning disability is often undetermined (see Undiagnosed Children). However there are five main areas in which intellectual impairment can occur:

• chromosomal and genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome;
• infections such as toxoplasmosis and congenital rubella (see entry, Rubella);
• toxins such as alcohol (see Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorder) and certain medications (see Fetal Anti-convulsant syndrome);
• injury or physical trauma such as road traffic accidents (see Brain Injuries);
• socio-environmental factors such as profound neglect.

 What are the symptoms?  |  How is it treated? 

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1. Background
2. What are the symptoms?
3. What are the causes?
4. How is it treated?
5. Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis
6. Is there support?