The Biophysical Aspects of Learning Disabilities
المؤلف:
FRANK GARVEY AND JACKY VINCENT
المصدر:
Caring for People with Learning Disabilities
الجزء والصفحة:
P122-C8
2025-10-20
201
The Biophysical Aspects of Learning Disabilities
KEY POINTS
• Adults with learning disabilities have greater health needs than non-learning-disabled adults and are prone to chronic health problems.
• Adults with learning disabilities are 58 times more likely to die before the age of 50 years than are non-learning-disabled adults.
• Effective communication and information sharing are central to the effective meeting of health needs of adults with learning disabilities.
• In some instances, treatable diseases may go undetected, progressing until the treatment required is less effective.
• Down’s syndrome offers a model of approach that can be transferred to other adults with learning disabilities.
The learning disability strategic document the White Paper Valuing People (Department of Health 2001) and the report Treat Me Right (Mencap 2004) are amongst many recent papers highlighting the fact that adults with learning disabilities have greater health needs than non-learning-disabled adults and are prone to chronic health problems, epilepsy and physical and sensory dis abilities. Although adults with learning disabilities have a similar range of healthcare conditions to non-learning-disabled adults, they are two-and-a half times more likely to have a condition – often of a higher prevalence (Kerr 1998; Martin et al. 1997), requiring medical attention (Van Schrojenstein et al. 2000). Table 1 outlines the most significant secondary conditions.
Hollins et al. (1998) state that adults with learning disabilities are 58 times more likely to die before the age of 50 years than are non-learning-disabled adults. One of the reasons for this is that treatable diseases remain undetected until they have progressed to a stage at which the treatment required is less effective. In addition, adults with learning disabilities access their general practitioner (GP) far less frequently than the general population, even though their health needs are greater. Even when visiting GPs, barriers to effective treatment can occur, such as communication difficulties, pressures on time and GPs’ not appreciating the additional health conditions that co-exist for many adults with learning disabilities, leading to a missed or incorrect diagnosis.
Table 1 Twenty most significant secondary
conditions (source: Frey et al. 2001)
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• Communication difficulties
• Persistence problems
• Weight problems
• Personal hygiene/appearance
• Physical fitness and conditioning
• Fatigue
• Dental hygiene
• Sleep problems and disturbances
• Balance problems/dizziness
• Joint and muscle pain
• Contractures
• Bowel dysfunction
• Bladder dysfunction
• Depression
• Mobility problems
• Memory problems
• Injuries due to accidents and/or seizures
• Injuries due to self-harm
• Vision problems
• Medication side effects
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We provide an overview of the ‘biophysical aspects’ of learning disability, with a particular focus upon the physical health issues of adults with Down’s syndrome. It is intended that the reader will be then be able to draw inferences across a range of learning disability syndromes. ‘Medical’ terms are used alongside ‘physical’ descriptions and it is hoped that further reading using these terms will occur.
Where a learning disability is caused (the aetiology) by a genetic or chromosomal abnormality, disease and illness (pathology) are usually present. Pathologies can affect both the structure (anatomy) and the function (physiology) of a variety of bodily systems. As carers, students and professionals, using knowledge of the human body and its associated pathologies can support preventative, efficient and effective healthcare, ensuring that it is provided in an equitable way.
Down’s syndrome is a relatively common chromosomal condition that, in addition to causing learning disability, results in a high number of associated physical health conditions (co-morbidity) across the lifespan. The ageing process is known to be hastened, with adults with Down’s syndrome being physiologically 10–20 years in advance of their chronological age. Furthermore, adults with Down’s syndrome are more prone to autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and coeliac disease, as well as musculoskeletal, skin and heart disorders. It is important that these factors are considered when caring for adults with Down’s syndrome, as they may impact on their health and well-being throughout their lifespan. Understanding these particular conditions will maximize optimal health and well-being for adults with Down’s syndrome, ensuring a better representation of their needs when interfacing with primary and secondary care providers.
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