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learning disabilities

How come you can sometimes tell by looking at a person whether they have learning difficulties? Ive never understood why or been able to ask anyone as it sounds rude, people with learning disabilities seem to have similar features I just wanted to know how this can be since the problem is due to the brain. :confused:

Reply 1

isabella

9

What do u mean by Learning Difficulties ?

I have dyslexia,but u can't tell by looking at me.

Reply 2

Seoid

Some learning disabilities have direct genetic causes like Down syndrome. People with DS have a distinctive look because of the genetic nature of their condition - almond eyes, a flat head, a protruding tongue, etc, so it's very easy to tell when someone has DS. Other genetic conditions usuallly have distinctive genetic characteristics that make them easy to spot.

For non-genetic conditions, the reason could be that people with learning disabilities (and I'm talking general learning disabilities, not ones like dyslexia and ADHD) don't have great social awareness, so they are not self conscious. This leads to them behaving in a noticeably awkward or unusual way that marks them out as different.

Hope that answers your question.

Reply 3

Riddy

OP

Seoid

Some learning disabilities have direct genetic causes like Down syndrome. People with DS have a distinctive look because of the genetic nature of their condition - almond eyes, a flat head, a protruding tongue, etc, so it's very easy to tell when someone has DS. Other genetic conditions usuallly have distinctive genetic characteristics that make them easy to spot.

For non-genetic conditions, the reason could be that people with learning disabilities (and I'm talking general learning disabilities, not ones like dyslexia and ADHD) don't have great social awareness, so they are not self conscious. This leads to them behaving in a noticeably awkward or unusual way that marks them out as different.

Hope that answers your question.

Its nothing to do with social awareness what someone looks like, or is it? Im not talking about dyslexia and ADHA and I don't think its downs syndrome since I thought was quite rare. Then again the people that im talking about do have child like faces, I don't know, I give up lol!

Reply 4

Riddy

OP

Actually I think your right it probably is downs syndrome, it must be a lot more common than I thought.

Reply 5

Seoid

DS is fairly common, I'm not sure of the statistics but you'd definitely have seen someone with DS in your lifetime. But like I said some other learning disabilities have genetic causes and this could lead to distinctive facial characteristics - people with angelman's syndrome have a protruding jaw and pronounced browline, for example.

Also some learning disabilties are due to injuries and illnesses such as lack of oxygen at birth or meningitis. As well as causing learning disabilities these things can affect bodily development causing the "childlike" appearance that you describe.

Reply 6

Riddy

OP

Seoid

DS is fairly common, I'm not sure of the statistics but you'd definitely have seen someone with DS in your lifetime. But like I said some other learning disabilities have genetic causes and this could lead to distinctive facial characteristics - people with angelman's syndrome have a protruding jaw and pronounced browline, for example.

Also some learning disabilties are due to injuries and illnesses such as lack of oxygen at birth or meningitis. As well as causing learning disabilities these things can affect bodily development causing the "childlike" appearance that you describe.

Ok thanks that explains it, do most people know this Ive never been good with medicine and stuff lol.

Reply 7

Seoid

Riddy

Ok thanks that explains it, do most people know this Ive never been good with medicine and stuff lol.

I don't think they do know, no. I work with people with disabilities and the general ignorance of people about disabilities always shocks me, but I've realised over the years that it is due to the fact that up until recently people with disabilities were effectively segregated from wider society and most people of our generation have never met or talked to an intellectually disabled person. Thankfully that's changing a little now, but slowly.

Reply 8

Riddy

OP

Yea thats it they seem to be encouraging more people with learning difficulties to get jobs and participate in sport etc plus there is more support available now. When I was younger there was a man with what was highly likely downs syndrome in my karate class and he struggled with learning and hearing but progressed onto the next belt just like everyone else.

Reply 9

Gem

14

Dyslexia isn't officially classed as a Learning Disability, it's more a disability of language. Learning Disability refers to being unable/difficult to learn everyday things, such as handling money, holding down a job, behaving 'normally' in public.

I think when you say you can 'tell' when someone has a learning disability, it's due to the fact their not acting 'normally'. They may be concentrating on something a lot, such as their top button, or they may want to touch every single item on the meat counter in the supermarket, or they may be unable to hold their urges, such as shouting things in public or touching things.

I work with adults with learning disabilities and from seeing a photograph of each resident you probably wouldn't know they had learning disabilities (apart form maybe those with down syndrome) but seeing them in real life and observing their behaviour, you could probably tell they had some kind of disability.

Still, their people with feelings and they shouldn't be made fun of, they're actually very loving, thoughtful and fun people :smile:

Reply 10

fleur de lis

15

Sunofnight

sounds like this is a touchy subject for them, maybe they are insecure or have a retarded family member.

Also, please don't hide behind anon to avoid neg rep (this is a general comment and not directed at you personally riddy) :smile:

Reply 11

username43584

8

I know what you mean. It's fairly obvious when you first see my aunt that's she's got learning disabilities. As has been said before, there's an awkwardness about her and the way she holds her face is different to other people. She doesn't really focus on people as she listens or communicates with them...there's a lack of eye contact that is really noticeable.

Reply 12

Anonymous #1

This question fascinates me. I have a younger brother with a learning disability and when you go to his special school, you can tell just by looking at the pupils that they all have special needs. Yet none of them have Down's or genetic conditions.
It is mainly in the way they walk and look at you, but there is a common theme of glasses and unruly hair as well. Why?

Reply 13

username43584

8

Well unruly hair is probably due to the fact that many people with learning disabilities don't tend to be self-conscious about their appearance. For instance, my aunt never looks in the mirror. She would never consider picking up a brush and doing her hair unless she's told to do so. She puts zero effort into her appearance, whereas the average thirty-year old woman would get their hair cut all the time, spend time blow-drying it nicely, get it styled etc.

I'm not sure about the glasses. Perhaps some forms of brain damage or certain syndromes can affect sight?

Reply 14

xxjesspembyxx

becca2389

Well unruly hair is probably due to the fact that many people with learning disabilities don't tend to be self-conscious about their appearance. For instance, my aunt never looks in the mirror. She would never consider picking up a brush and doing her hair unless she's told to do so. She puts zero effort into her appearance, whereas the average thirty-year old woman would get their hair cut all the time, spend time blow-drying it nicely, get it styled etc.

I'm not sure about the glasses. Perhaps some forms of brain damage or certain syndromes can affect sight?

I work with 3 ladies (one with downs syndrome) with severe learning disabilities and need a lot of support. However, they do take alot of pride in their appearance!!!! They love to have their hair, make-up, nails done! They like to choose their own outfits. (and this is a group of ladies who have very high needs and require total support)

i think a few people in this thread are a bit misinformed and making generalizations...
to be classed as having a 'learning disability' a person must meet specific criteria:
- an IQ of 70 or below
- a significant 'impaired intelligence'
- must have had the 'disability' from birth or from childhood

Dyslexia is not classed as a 'learning disability' as such.
And no, u cannot always tell if someone has a learning disability by looking at them! i have made the mistake before of assuming that 2 service users were actually co-workers!

Reply 15

GazingAtStars

10

****.

learning disabilities

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