Differential diagnosis and co-existing conditions

Learning disability is associated with an increased prevalence of many other disorders. The most common include the following:

• Epilepsy - G40, G41 (adult) (25% people with learning disability and 50% of those with severe learning disability).
• Hypothyroidism (people with Down syndrome).
• Physical disabilities and dysmorphia (30%).
• Incontinence (10%).
• Hearing impairments (40%).
• Visual impairments (40%).
• Autism spectrum disorders -F84 (child) - (10% individuals with learning disability and 30% of those with moderate to severe learning disability).
• Psychiatric and behavioural disorders (at least 35%).
• Dementia- F00# (adult) (people with Down syndrome and those over 50).

Diagnosis of these conditions can be made harder by unusual presentations of the illness; - for example, irritability (which might present as agitation or even aggression) may be an indication of pain or emotional distress.

The following may also interfere with performance at school:

• Sensory problems (eg deafness)
• Specific learning difficulties (eg dyslexia)
• Attention-deficit disorder
• Motor disorders (eg cerebral palsy)
• Autism in children of normal intellectual ability.

Malnutrition, extreme social deprivation, or chronic medical illness can cause developmental delays. Most causes of learning disabilities cannot be cured. The more common, treatable causes of learning disability include hypothyroidism, lead poisoning, and some inborn errors of metabolism (eg phenylketonuria).

Last edited: 17/2/2004

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