Re: Re: Dual Diagnosis: Children with Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder

[Guest guest]

That part leapt out at me as well...'s only (almost)5 and it scares me

that we will someday be back to the square we're on again...

The SIB's are hard. My 6-year-old has Asperger's and has SIB during his

meltdowns at school. It's heartbreaking.

Sent from my iPhone

Thanks! The part that says that they regress as they get older really gets to

me. It is so true. The self injurious behavior also gets to me since it started

at 15 or so. I always thought it would be smooth sailing as she got older but

the ride is becoming bumpier.

Nereida

Emelinne DS-ASD (17)

>

> http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/63024.aspxDual

> Diagnosis: Children with Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder

>

> In recent years, there are more children being given the dual diagnosis of

> Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research shows that these

> children have differences in their brain activity. The medical community is

> currently working on the proper guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.

> Diagnosis

>

> There is little known about the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism

> Spectrum Disorder. The medical community has only recently recognized that

> Down syndrome children can have other disorders such as autism or obsessive

> compulsive disorder. Parents of these children often have their concerns

> dismissed unless severe

> symptoms<http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/63024.aspx#>are

> present. This can cause intervention to become delayed. While a delay

> will not impair those with Down syndrome it can be detrimental to those that

> have autism. For this reason if a parent senses that their child may have a

> dual diagnosis it is important that her concerns are voiced to a doctor.

>

> Typically, children with Down syndrome and autism begin to show impairments

> and a regression as they get older. These issues can be overlooked by others

> because the child is already seen as having a cognitive disorder. However,

> these children perform well below their peers that only have Down syndrome.

>

> The medical community does not currently have an agreed set of criteria for

> diagnosing autism in Down syndrome children. However those with a dual

> diagnosis perform lower on cognitive tests and are more likely to have

> certain characteristics and conditions. These include being more preoccupied

> with how their bodies move, limited diet and sensitivity to food textures,

> increased hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, more behavioral problems and

> self injurious behavior.

>

> The diagnosis of autism is made based on a set of behaviors but these

> behaviors are more likely in those that have a learning disability or a

> cognitive disability. Thus, Down syndrome is likely to be the underlying

> cause of autism in these children.

> Treatment

>

> It is not possible to cure Down syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder but

> improvements can be made in children with a dual diagnosis. Treatments

> include early intervention, medication, therapies and discrete trial

> teaching.

>

> Early intervention is very effective in socializing those that have autism.

> This is why it is important for parents of Down syndrome children to voice

> concerns to their doctor if they believe their child has autism as well.

> Early intervention makes these children more social and work on areas that

> they have deficits in such as speech.

>

> Medication will not make a vast improvement for those that have a dual

> diagnosis. However, it can make certain conditions more manageable. These

> include hyperactivity, self injurious behavior, sleep disturbances and

> behavioral problems.

>

> Children with Down syndrome and autism

> benefit<http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/63024.aspx#>from

> therapies. Speech therapy can help these children learn to communicate

> more effectively by using PECS and sign language. These individuals will

> also work on oral motor skills in Speech sessions. Physical

> therapy<http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/63024.aspx#>can

> help these children with their coordination. It can also assist them

> in

> learning to participate in physical activities. Occupational therapy teaches

> children with a dual diagnosis skills that will make them more functional

> such as writing, putting on their shoes and brushing their hair.

>

> Discrete trial teaching can help children with a dual diagnosis accomplish

> their learning goals. In these trials learning is broken down into steps and

> each step must be mastered before the child moves onto the next. Repetition,

> prompting and reinforcement are all used in discrete trial teaching.

>

> Families of children with Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder are

> often strained. Divorce is more likely for those that have a child with a

> dual diagnosis. For this reason, it is important to talk openly with one

> another and get help if needed.

>

[Guest guest]

  yes,  and  reading this is strangely comforting to me.  It isn't that i am

settling, yet

 it makes me feel less responsible when I see this regression inspite

of  increased efforts required  to hang on to what she " knew " and could

manage in earlier years.

I am  frequently grieving her losses, my own losses actually.  Hope and

reality are sometimes difficult to get ones hands and heart around. I needed

this to remind me it isn't my " fault " .  

 We all keep bumping up and down on the little red wagon, one wheel off and

the axle broken, and l get a hammer and a nail and fix it over and over.  

 Jay,  mom to Kezia 12 who still loves this song while bouncing on my

knees. 

________________________________

To:

Sent: Tue, March 23, 2010 10:51:52 AM

Subject: Re: Dual Diagnosis: Children with Down Syndrome and Autism

Spectrum Disorder

 

Thanks! The part that says that they regress as they get older really gets to

me. It is so true. The self injurious behavior also gets to me since it started

at 15 or so. I always thought it would be smooth sailing as she got older but

the ride is becoming bumpier.

Nereida

Emelinne DS-ASD (17)

>

> http://www.brighthu b.com/education/ special/articles /63024.aspxDual

> Diagnosis: Children with Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder

>

> In recent years, there are more children being given the dual diagnosis of

> Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research shows that these

> children have differences in their brain activity. The medical community is

> currently working on the proper guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.

> Diagnosis

>

> There is little known about the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism

> Spectrum Disorder. The medical community has only recently recognized that

> Down syndrome children can have other disorders such as autism or obsessive

> compulsive disorder. Parents of these children often have their concerns

> dismissed unless severe

> symptoms<http://www.brighthu b.com/education/ special/articles

/63024.aspx#>are

> present. This can cause intervention to become delayed. While a delay

> will not impair those with Down syndrome it can be detrimental to those that

> have autism. For this reason if a parent senses that their child may have a

> dual diagnosis it is important that her concerns are voiced to a doctor.

>

> Typically, children with Down syndrome and autism begin to show impairments

> and a regression as they get older. These issues can be overlooked by others

> because the child is already seen as having a cognitive disorder. However,

> these children perform well below their peers that only have Down syndrome.

>

> The medical community does not currently have an agreed set of criteria for

> diagnosing autism in Down syndrome children. However those with a dual

> diagnosis perform lower on cognitive tests and are more likely to have

> certain characteristics and conditions. These include being more preoccupied

> with how their bodies move, limited diet and sensitivity to food textures,

> increased hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, more behavioral problems and

> self injurious behavior.

>

> The diagnosis of autism is made based on a set of behaviors but these

> behaviors are more likely in those that have a learning disability or a

> cognitive disability. Thus, Down syndrome is likely to be the underlying

> cause of autism in these children.

> Treatment

>

> It is not possible to cure Down syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder but

> improvements can be made in children with a dual diagnosis. Treatments

> include early intervention, medication, therapies and discrete trial

> teaching.

>

> Early intervention is very effective in socializing those that have autism.

> This is why it is important for parents of Down syndrome children to voice

> concerns to their doctor if they believe their child has autism as well.

> Early intervention makes these children more social and work on areas that

> they have deficits in such as speech.

>

> Medication will not make a vast improvement for those that have a dual

> diagnosis. However, it can make certain conditions more manageable. These

> include hyperactivity, self injurious behavior, sleep disturbances and

> behavioral problems.

>

> Children with Down syndrome and autism

> benefit<http://www.brighthu b.com/education/ special/articles

/63024.aspx#>from

> therapies. Speech therapy can help these children learn to communicate

> more effectively by using PECS and sign language. These individuals will

> also work on oral motor skills in Speech sessions. Physical

> therapy<http://www.brighthu b.com/education/ special/articles /63024.aspx#>can

> help these children with their coordination. It can also assist them

> in

> learning to participate in physical activities. Occupational therapy teaches

> children with a dual diagnosis skills that will make them more functional

> such as writing, putting on their shoes and brushing their hair.

>

> Discrete trial teaching can help children with a dual diagnosis accomplish

> their learning goals. In these trials learning is broken down into steps and

> each step must be mastered before the child moves onto the next. Repetition,

> prompting and reinforcement are all used in discrete trial teaching.

>

> Families of children with Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder are

> often strained. Divorce is more likely for those that have a child with a

> dual diagnosis. For this reason, it is important to talk openly with one

> another and get help if needed.

>

[Guest guest]

But Nereida it is not an unchageable truth that behavior worsens and our

children regress. Some do, but some continue to grow and learn.

People who knew my son in h/s and see him now in the community are

astonished at how self-possessed he has beome. How more verbal he is - and

willing to use words too.

But the years from 11-19 were very hard for us. We eeven looked into

permanent outside the family placement. Aggressive behavior, anger,

stubborn to the point of NOT MOVING, a lumpish, scary, meltdown always with

outbursts of rage.

'In the last 2 years - Elie has thrown a shoe with purpose once. He has

swung at a person once, and he has had 2-3 frozen episodes in the community

with only one flop and drop. Things change. Things can get better or

worse. But I would hate to predict that things will only get worse. NOT

NECESSARILY SO!!!!

>

>

> That part leapt out at me as well...'s only (almost)5 and it scares

> me that we will someday be back to the square we're on again...

>

> The SIB's are hard. My 6-year-old has Asperger's and has SIB during his

> meltdowns at school. It's heartbreaking.

>

>

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

>

> On Mar 23, 2010, at 10:51 AM, " NereidaG "

<nevergrowingup59@...<nevergrowingup59%40yahoo.com>>

> wrote:

>

> Thanks! The part that says that they regress as they get older really gets

> to me. It is so true. The self injurious behavior also gets to me since it

> started at 15 or so. I always thought it would be smooth sailing as she got

> older but the ride is becoming bumpier.

>

> Nereida

> Emelinne DS-ASD (17)

>

>

> >

> > http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/63024.aspxDual

> > Diagnosis: Children with Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder

> >

> > In recent years, there are more children being given the dual diagnosis

> of

> > Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research shows that these

> > children have differences in their brain activity. The medical community

> is

> > currently working on the proper guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.

> > Diagnosis

> >

> > There is little known about the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and

> Autism

> > Spectrum Disorder. The medical community has only recently recognized

> that

> > Down syndrome children can have other disorders such as autism or

> obsessive

> > compulsive disorder. Parents of these children often have their concerns

> > dismissed unless severe

> > symptoms<http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/63024.aspx#

> >are

> > present. This can cause intervention to become delayed. While a delay

> > will not impair those with Down syndrome it can be detrimental to those

> that

> > have autism. For this reason if a parent senses that their child may have

> a

> > dual diagnosis it is important that her concerns are voiced to a doctor.

> >

> > Typically, children with Down syndrome and autism begin to show

> impairments

> > and a regression as they get older. These issues can be overlooked by

> others

> > because the child is already seen as having a cognitive disorder.

> However,

> > these children perform well below their peers that only have Down

> syndrome.

> >

> > The medical community does not currently have an agreed set of criteria

> for

> > diagnosing autism in Down syndrome children. However those with a dual

> > diagnosis perform lower on cognitive tests and are more likely to have

> > certain characteristics and conditions. These include being more

> preoccupied

> > with how their bodies move, limited diet and sensitivity to food

> textures,

> > increased hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, more behavioral problems and

> > self injurious behavior.

> >

> > The diagnosis of autism is made based on a set of behaviors but these

> > behaviors are more likely in those that have a learning disability or a

> > cognitive disability. Thus, Down syndrome is likely to be the underlying

> > cause of autism in these children.

> > Treatment

> >

> > It is not possible to cure Down syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder but

> > improvements can be made in children with a dual diagnosis. Treatments

> > include early intervention, medication, therapies and discrete trial

> > teaching.

> >

> > Early intervention is very effective in socializing those that have

> autism.

> > This is why it is important for parents of Down syndrome children to

> voice

> > concerns to their doctor if they believe their child has autism as well.

> > Early intervention makes these children more social and work on areas

> that

> > they have deficits in such as speech.

> >

> > Medication will not make a vast improvement for those that have a dual

> > diagnosis. However, it can make certain conditions more manageable. These

> > include hyperactivity, self injurious behavior, sleep disturbances and

> > behavioral problems.

> >

> > Children with Down syndrome and autism

> > benefit<http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/63024.aspx#

> >from

> > therapies. Speech therapy can help these children learn to communicate

> > more effectively by using PECS and sign language. These individuals will

> > also work on oral motor skills in Speech sessions. Physical

> > therapy<http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/63024.aspx#

> >can

> > help these children with their coordination. It can also assist them

> > in

> > learning to participate in physical activities. Occupational therapy

> teaches

> > children with a dual diagnosis skills that will make them more functional

> > such as writing, putting on their shoes and brushing their hair.

> >

> > Discrete trial teaching can help children with a dual diagnosis

> accomplish

> > their learning goals. In these trials learning is broken down into steps

> and

> > each step must be mastered before the child moves onto the next.

> Repetition,

> > prompting and reinforcement are all used in discrete trial teaching.

> >

> > Families of children with Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder are

> > often strained. Divorce is more likely for those that have a child with a

> > dual diagnosis. For this reason, it is important to talk openly with one

> > another and get help if needed.

> >