LEARNING DISABILITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH

TAKE AWAY! Those with learning disabilities or deficits have a higher likelihood of mental health concerns AND We can make a difference WHAT we Know (knowledge) WHAT we DO (practice)

For the sake of our conversation today Learning disabilities/differences/disadvantages are students who are working approximately two years below grade level academically with otherwise average intellectual abilities. Don’t get hung up on a diagnosis here…….kk!

1 in 10 Canadians have a Learning Disability 1 in 10 Canadians have a learning disability? True or False?

ACCORDING TO THE JOURNAL OF LEARNING DISABILITIES (CANADA) A PERSON WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY (PWLD) – ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE HIGH LEVELS OF DISTRESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY DISORDER, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, VISITS TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AND POORER OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH THAN WERE PERSONS WITHOUT DISABILITIES (PWOD)

Results suggest that learning and attention problems are interrelated, and usually coexist.

Children with a learning disability and ADHD are 2x more likely to have a learning disability in Written Expression than a learning disability in reading, math or spelling

COMMON MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING WE SCREEN FOR THIS: Internalizing Problems: Withdrawn/Depressed Anxiety/Depression Somatic Complaints Externalizing Problems Rule Breaking Behaviour Aggressive Behaviour DSM Scales: Affective Problems, Anxiety Problems, Somatic Problems, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, Oppositional Defiant Problems, Conduct Problems Attention Deficit Thought Problems Social Problems

ANXIETY Those with LD are 2x more likely to report an anxiety disorder (social phobia, agoraphobia and panic disorder…not GAD) 20% likely for year old 31% likely for those years old Otherwise typical “Non-LD ers” it is 8% - 10% likely and remains fairly stable over time

DEPRESSION Higher report of distress, depression and suicidal thoughts among PWLD may reflect co-occurring depression which originated from earlier academic distress or anxiety. Statistics are pretty similar when compared to “Non- Lders” until later life, where these thoughts continue…..perhaps due to higher incidence of not completing high school or lower rates of marriage

EXTERNALIZING Challenging behaviours (aggression, destruction, self-injury and others) are shown by 10%-15% of people with learning disabilities, with age-specific prevalence peaking between ages 20 and 49 (Source: Emerson et al.,2001) (Sources taken from Key Highlights of Research Key Highlights of Research

STUDENTS MAY…. Have externalizing or internalizing behaviour problems Interpersonal problems Greater need for social support Poorer family relationships Smaller social net-works Greater minor and major adversity and lower life satisfaction Poor peer relations or friendships Lower tolerance for school related stress

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO MANAGE STRESS IN STUDENTS Stress from their life Stress from their learning environment Stress from lack of organization Stress from social inadequacies Stress from lack of self-regulation Stress from poor academic ability Stress from pending anxiety/self- consciousness Stress about the future Stress about …….