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Health Issues and
Specific Needs of
People with Complex
Needs/Challenging
Behaviour
Rett Syndrome
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A neurological disorder
Due to a genetic defect
Affects only females
Rett Syndrome
Vacant spells
Profound learning
disability
Low muscle tone
Mood swings
Chewing/swallowing
difficulties
Epilepsy
Recurrent chest
infections
Sleep disturbance
Constipation
Repetitive hand
movements
Poor balance
Reflux
Breath holding
Joint contractures
Curvature of spine
Repetitive
breathing
Crying and
screaming
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
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Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a developmental
disorder that affects many parts of the body.
The features of this disorder vary widely among
affected individuals and range from relatively
mild to severe.
Cornelia De Lange Syndrome
Hearing difficulties
Gastro oesophageal
reflux disease GERD
Limb abnormalities
Cardiac conditions
Hip dysplasia
Cleft palate
Blepharitis
Learning disability
Autistic features
Communication
difficulties
Rigidity and inflexibility to
change
Self –injurious
behaviour
Mental health
problems
Who May Be Involved in Support
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General Practitioner
Podiatry
Continence services
Dietician
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Speech and Language therapist
Community nurse
District nurse
Pharmacist
Opticians
Neurologist
Gastroenterology
Sleep clinic
Endocrinology
Cardiology
Pain clinic
ENT
Respite Services
Social Workers
Equipment services
SeeAbility
Health Issues and Specific Needs
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Both people with learning disabilities and people
with mental health problems experience
‘diagnostic overshadowing’: that is, reports of
physical ill health being viewed as part of the
mental health problem or learning disability, and
so not investigated or treated. If problems are
missed, people experience ill health and its
attendant risks unnecessarily