Unit 12.
A.P1 + some of M1 Explain diagnostic procedures to determine additional
needs for one child and one adult with different additional needs.
A mental disability effects cognitive function including speech and language.
In the sector of health and social care, disabilities can be categorised into 4 distinct
groups depending on severity these includes mild, moderate, severe and profound.
Mild disabilities are categorised as having the intellectual IQ of 52 to 69, and
individuals typically needs little to no support and often can function normally in
society and blend in. (Table: Levels of Intellectual Disability, n.d.). Most individuals in
this category do not have any physical limitations and many can live independently.
An example of a physical disability would be Ben’s type 2 diabetes. Ben is 52-year-old
suffering from type 2 diabetes; Ben is supplied with special diet after his diagnosis
from his endocrinologist. Ben could live a relatively independent life with this disease
with little support, this is why it is categorised as mild however Ben currently sneaks
sweets into his room leading to worsening of diabetes as he is spiking his sugar and if
ben continues this behaviour, his condition may become moderate or severe requiring
more care for his diabetes and any injury resulting from high blood sugar. Ben’s carers
may have identified potential signs or symptoms such as increased thirst/ Ben may be
complaining about constant thirst and needing water constantly or carers may notice
that ben is healing slower than expected leading to many infections leading them to
consult an endocrinologist.
Endocrinologist
An endocrinologist is a medical specialist, specialising in looking at the endocrine
system and glands responsible for secreting hormones such as insulin (responsible for
controlling blood sugar levels). An endocrinologist requires an undergraduate degree
in medicine taking 5 years and a 2-year foundational course in general medical
training. After this training, doctors are then required to pass MRCP also known as
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in the UK before they can specialise to
become an endocrinologist. To specialise, doctors need to study 4 years further in
their desired field (in this case endocrinology) but after these four years they can sit a
Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) where if they pass, they can then become an
endocrinologist. (How to Become an Endocrinologist: Qualifications and Skills, n.d.)
(Eyth, E,. Et al, 2025)
Ben’s diabetes (explained above) can be identified via the A1C test usually carried out
by an endocrinologist. A1C tests are usually carried out by endocrinologists. This test
requires Ben’s blood sugar to be tested over a period of 2-3 months after he has
fasted for at least 8 hours and only drinking water to ensure that foods that effect
blood sugar does not skew results (this is done daily). Using either blood taken from a
finger prick with a spike called a lancet or from a vein using a needle taken by a
phlebotomist who is professionally trained to collect blood samples often through
veins. The sample taken of Ben’s blood is then put into a machine and blood sugar
,percentage is tested to determine if ben has diabetes which in this case, Ben has got
a confirmation from his endocrinologist that he has type 2 diabetes. (CDC, 2024)
Moderate disabilities are categorised as having an intellectual IQ of 36 to 51. (Table:
Levels of Intellectual Disability, n.d.). In this group individuals often need simple
support with daily living such hygiene, budgeting and more complex communication
however an individual in this group is not completely dependent on carers and can
live a relatively independent life such as travelling alone, but people in the category
have observable challenges in communications or mobility without walking aids or
communication help.
An example of a moderate intellectual disability would be Ben. Ben has down’s
syndrome and has a mental age of 8. After Ben’s mother passed away, he is currently
living in grouped housing with other individuals to support his living. If we look at what
an average 8-year-old can/ cannot do, we can link this to Ben/Ben needs someone to
manage his diet as he has diabetes and needs support with when going places around
his vicinity. What Ben can do independently however is that he can partake in his own
hygiene such as brushing his teeth and feeding himself and basic expressions.
Geneticists
Geneticists need to have an undergraduate in life sciences such as biology combined
with a further master’s degree in life science to work as a geneticist. Geneticists are
responsible for identifying key markers for downs syndrome. An example of a test
done is a karyotype test which identifies key markers for downs syndrome such as an
extra chromosome in cells. (Medline Plus, 2017)
Phlebotomists
NIPT tests are a non-invasive blood test that involves taking blood from the mother
instead of the baby and analyse fragments of it to identify markers for down
syndrome (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), 2024)
Phlebotomists are also responsible for taking blood for testing, they are required to go
through training to learn how to draw blood such as finding the vein to insert a
drawing needle and taking the blood sample to later be able to diagnose both
diabetes (A1C test) and downs syndrome (NIPT). To be able to train to become a
phlebotomist, you only need 2 GCSEs. (Phlebotomy Training Institute, 2025)
Individuals using an ultrasound often need to have an undergraduate degree in
related fields such as midwifery, nursing and radiography in university. After a degree
in these fields, and individual then does further training to use a medical ultrasound.
(How to Become a Sonographer | BMUS, n.d.)
Medical professionals such as geneticists who are professionals who often diagnose
individuals with Down’s Syndrome (DS) such as Ben and other disabilities before birth.
A most common way to test for DS would be blood tests taken from the mother by a
phlebotomist. There are key proteins that are “markers” for DS that are present in the
mother’s blood during pregnancy that increases the chances for offspring to have DS.
Another method of diagnosing DS would be from ultrasound. An ultrasound machine
, sends out high frequency waves that can be used to form an image of the baby. When
diagnosing DS in a foetus, a sonographer can identify fluid at the back of the foetus’s
neck which may indicate DS. (How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose down
Syndrome? 2017) (Spencer, K. 2014)
Biomedical Scientists
Severe and profound disabilities are categorised as having the intellectual IQ of 20-35
(Table: Levels of Intellectual Disability, n.d.). individuals in this category often have
very limited speech and mental skills such as speech (limited to a few words) and
basic understanding of words and arithmetic however these individuals need
extensive constant care as they struggle to do daily activities such as hygiene and
mobility and need around the clock care.
A physical disability is a condition that physically effects a person’s ability to move
and utilise their body. Rebecca is an 8-year-old quadriplegic (lost function in all limbs)
due to a car accident that broke her CERVICAL Spine and needs constant physical
support for tasks such as getting clothed or going to the bathroom.
Radiographer
A radiographer can diagnose her broken cervical spine by X-raying her to see where
abouts the spine was broken (can be seen in the image). A radiographer needs to
have done a radiography university course taking 3 years and training before
becoming a radiographer or alternatively 6 years of part time. (Radiographer
Requirement Safter Uni Uk - 2022).
Emergency Department Physicians
Rebbecca will initially see an Emergency Department Physicians to evaluate her
condition and referring her to specialists such as a radiographer based off symptoms
such as neck pain and incontinence. To become an Emergency Department Physician,
individuals must complete 5 years of university and to complete foundation training (2
years) and then to specialise, doctors need to also complete 6 years specialisation to
become an Emergency Department Physician (The Complete Guide to Becoming an
Emergency Medicine Doctor, 2021)
A.P1 + some of M1 Explain diagnostic procedures to determine additional
needs for one child and one adult with different additional needs.
A mental disability effects cognitive function including speech and language.
In the sector of health and social care, disabilities can be categorised into 4 distinct
groups depending on severity these includes mild, moderate, severe and profound.
Mild disabilities are categorised as having the intellectual IQ of 52 to 69, and
individuals typically needs little to no support and often can function normally in
society and blend in. (Table: Levels of Intellectual Disability, n.d.). Most individuals in
this category do not have any physical limitations and many can live independently.
An example of a physical disability would be Ben’s type 2 diabetes. Ben is 52-year-old
suffering from type 2 diabetes; Ben is supplied with special diet after his diagnosis
from his endocrinologist. Ben could live a relatively independent life with this disease
with little support, this is why it is categorised as mild however Ben currently sneaks
sweets into his room leading to worsening of diabetes as he is spiking his sugar and if
ben continues this behaviour, his condition may become moderate or severe requiring
more care for his diabetes and any injury resulting from high blood sugar. Ben’s carers
may have identified potential signs or symptoms such as increased thirst/ Ben may be
complaining about constant thirst and needing water constantly or carers may notice
that ben is healing slower than expected leading to many infections leading them to
consult an endocrinologist.
Endocrinologist
An endocrinologist is a medical specialist, specialising in looking at the endocrine
system and glands responsible for secreting hormones such as insulin (responsible for
controlling blood sugar levels). An endocrinologist requires an undergraduate degree
in medicine taking 5 years and a 2-year foundational course in general medical
training. After this training, doctors are then required to pass MRCP also known as
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in the UK before they can specialise to
become an endocrinologist. To specialise, doctors need to study 4 years further in
their desired field (in this case endocrinology) but after these four years they can sit a
Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) where if they pass, they can then become an
endocrinologist. (How to Become an Endocrinologist: Qualifications and Skills, n.d.)
(Eyth, E,. Et al, 2025)
Ben’s diabetes (explained above) can be identified via the A1C test usually carried out
by an endocrinologist. A1C tests are usually carried out by endocrinologists. This test
requires Ben’s blood sugar to be tested over a period of 2-3 months after he has
fasted for at least 8 hours and only drinking water to ensure that foods that effect
blood sugar does not skew results (this is done daily). Using either blood taken from a
finger prick with a spike called a lancet or from a vein using a needle taken by a
phlebotomist who is professionally trained to collect blood samples often through
veins. The sample taken of Ben’s blood is then put into a machine and blood sugar
,percentage is tested to determine if ben has diabetes which in this case, Ben has got
a confirmation from his endocrinologist that he has type 2 diabetes. (CDC, 2024)
Moderate disabilities are categorised as having an intellectual IQ of 36 to 51. (Table:
Levels of Intellectual Disability, n.d.). In this group individuals often need simple
support with daily living such hygiene, budgeting and more complex communication
however an individual in this group is not completely dependent on carers and can
live a relatively independent life such as travelling alone, but people in the category
have observable challenges in communications or mobility without walking aids or
communication help.
An example of a moderate intellectual disability would be Ben. Ben has down’s
syndrome and has a mental age of 8. After Ben’s mother passed away, he is currently
living in grouped housing with other individuals to support his living. If we look at what
an average 8-year-old can/ cannot do, we can link this to Ben/Ben needs someone to
manage his diet as he has diabetes and needs support with when going places around
his vicinity. What Ben can do independently however is that he can partake in his own
hygiene such as brushing his teeth and feeding himself and basic expressions.
Geneticists
Geneticists need to have an undergraduate in life sciences such as biology combined
with a further master’s degree in life science to work as a geneticist. Geneticists are
responsible for identifying key markers for downs syndrome. An example of a test
done is a karyotype test which identifies key markers for downs syndrome such as an
extra chromosome in cells. (Medline Plus, 2017)
Phlebotomists
NIPT tests are a non-invasive blood test that involves taking blood from the mother
instead of the baby and analyse fragments of it to identify markers for down
syndrome (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), 2024)
Phlebotomists are also responsible for taking blood for testing, they are required to go
through training to learn how to draw blood such as finding the vein to insert a
drawing needle and taking the blood sample to later be able to diagnose both
diabetes (A1C test) and downs syndrome (NIPT). To be able to train to become a
phlebotomist, you only need 2 GCSEs. (Phlebotomy Training Institute, 2025)
Individuals using an ultrasound often need to have an undergraduate degree in
related fields such as midwifery, nursing and radiography in university. After a degree
in these fields, and individual then does further training to use a medical ultrasound.
(How to Become a Sonographer | BMUS, n.d.)
Medical professionals such as geneticists who are professionals who often diagnose
individuals with Down’s Syndrome (DS) such as Ben and other disabilities before birth.
A most common way to test for DS would be blood tests taken from the mother by a
phlebotomist. There are key proteins that are “markers” for DS that are present in the
mother’s blood during pregnancy that increases the chances for offspring to have DS.
Another method of diagnosing DS would be from ultrasound. An ultrasound machine
, sends out high frequency waves that can be used to form an image of the baby. When
diagnosing DS in a foetus, a sonographer can identify fluid at the back of the foetus’s
neck which may indicate DS. (How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose down
Syndrome? 2017) (Spencer, K. 2014)
Biomedical Scientists
Severe and profound disabilities are categorised as having the intellectual IQ of 20-35
(Table: Levels of Intellectual Disability, n.d.). individuals in this category often have
very limited speech and mental skills such as speech (limited to a few words) and
basic understanding of words and arithmetic however these individuals need
extensive constant care as they struggle to do daily activities such as hygiene and
mobility and need around the clock care.
A physical disability is a condition that physically effects a person’s ability to move
and utilise their body. Rebecca is an 8-year-old quadriplegic (lost function in all limbs)
due to a car accident that broke her CERVICAL Spine and needs constant physical
support for tasks such as getting clothed or going to the bathroom.
Radiographer
A radiographer can diagnose her broken cervical spine by X-raying her to see where
abouts the spine was broken (can be seen in the image). A radiographer needs to
have done a radiography university course taking 3 years and training before
becoming a radiographer or alternatively 6 years of part time. (Radiographer
Requirement Safter Uni Uk - 2022).
Emergency Department Physicians
Rebbecca will initially see an Emergency Department Physicians to evaluate her
condition and referring her to specialists such as a radiographer based off symptoms
such as neck pain and incontinence. To become an Emergency Department Physician,
individuals must complete 5 years of university and to complete foundation training (2
years) and then to specialise, doctors need to also complete 6 years specialisation to
become an Emergency Department Physician (The Complete Guide to Becoming an
Emergency Medicine Doctor, 2021)
