Are the cognitive functions of children with Down syndrome related to their participation?

Italian Version of QI-Disability for QoL Evaluation in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation Process

Children and adolescents with Intellectual Disability (ID) experience a worse Quality-of-Life (QoL) relative to typically developing peers. Thus, QoL evaluation is important for identifying support needs and improving rehabilitation effectiveness. Nevertheless, currently in Italy there are not tools with this scope. This study aims to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Quality-of-Life Inventory-Disability (QI-Disability) into Italian. The process consisted in forward-backward translation, cross-cultural adaptation and cognitive debriefing. Eventually, QI-Disability was conceptually and semantically equivalent to the original one. A validation study is necessary to make the tool available in Italian clinical practice and educational contexts to improve these children's QoL.

Visual-Motor Integration Deficits in 3q29 Deletion Syndrome

3q29 deletion syndrome (3q29del) is associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental phenotypes. We previously reported that graphomotor weakness is present in up to 78% of individuals with 3q29del. We have now explored nuances of the graphomotor phenotype and its association with other comorbidities in this population. Participants were recruited from the online 3q29 registry (3q29deletion.org) for two days of deep phenotyping. 32 individuals with 3q29del (62.5% male) were evaluated with the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) to assess visual-motor integration. Participants were also evaluated with measures of cognitive ability, executive function, adaptive behavior, and school function. Males with 3q29del performed significantly worse than females on the VMI and Motor Coordination subtest. VMI performance was significantly associated with ADHD diagnosis and cognitive ability. Compared to published data from individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, individuals with 3q29del showed significantly more impairment. The 3q29 deletion is associated with substantial deficits in visual-motor integration, Visual Perception, and Motor Coordination. Our data suggests that 3q29del may qualify as a nonverbal learning disability. Future studies should assess whether individuals with 3q29del would benefit from early interventions, including occupational therapy.

Patterns and predictors of adaptive skills in 2- to 7-year-old children with Down syndrome

Background

There is substantial variability in adaptive skills among individuals with Down syndrome. Few studies, however, have focused on the early developmental period or on the potential sources of variability in adaptive skills. This study characterizes adaptive skills in young children with Down syndrome and investigates child characteristics associated with adaptive skills.

Methods

Participants were 44 children with Down syndrome ranging in age from 2.50 to 7.99 years (M = 4.66 years, SD = 1.46). The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-3 (VABS-3) Comprehensive Interview Form was used to assess adaptive behavior in the three core domains: socialization, daily living, and communication skills. Caregivers also reported on motor skills and autism spectrum disorder symptoms. Child cognitive abilities were assessed.

Results

Analyses comparing mean standard score performance across the three VABS-3 core domains demonstrated significant differences between all pairs of domains, resulting in a group-level pattern of socialization > daily living > communication skills. At the individual level, 10 different patterns of relative strength and weakness were identified, with only 18% of participants evidencing significant differences between adaptive skill domain standard scores corresponding to the group-level pattern of significant differences. Child characteristics (cognitive abilities, motor skills, and autism spectrum disorder symptoms) were significantly associated with VABS-3 adaptive domain standard scores.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the importance of individualizing intervention programs focused on improving the adaptive skills of young children with Down syndrome based on consideration of the child’s relative adaptive strengths and weaknesses.

Social abilities in young Mexicans with Down syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Social abilities include interpersonal skills, interaction, and social responsibility. The nature of these abilities has not been explored in young people with Down syndrome (DS) during the social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The aim of this online study was to describe the social profile of a group of 30 Mexican people with DS, with a chronological age of 15-29 years, and explore the variables related to their psychosocial profiles. A sociodemographic questionnaire, mental age examination, and socialization battery were applied. Social behavior was analyzed in domains that facilitate socialization (leadership, joviality, social sensitivity, respect/self-control), in domains that disrupt socialization (aggressiveness/stubbornness, apathy/withdrawal, anxiety/shyness), and on a global scale. Results: Participants' scores in the facilitative domains were above average, and their scores in the disruptive domains were below average, as expected. Scores on the respect/self-control scale were associated with chronological age (CA), and those on the global scale with mental age (MA). Discussion: No impairments were found in the social skills of young people with DS according to the parameters of the scale. The development of the social profile with CA and MA stimulates cognition and promotes independence, autonomy, and proactivity. Parents' role in regulating children's behavior was an important factor in managing their social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Formula: see text] The role of distinct executive functions on adaptive behavior in children and adolescents with Down syndrome

Difficulties in executive function are a relatively well-characterized feature of the neuropsychological profile in Down syndrome (DS), yet the impact of these challenges on aspects of daily functioning remain poorly understood. We examined the role of specific executive functions on domains of adaptive behavior in children and adolescents with DS. Participants included 68 children and adolescents with DS between 6-17 years old (mean chronological age = 12.56 years; SD = 3.22) and their caregivers. Parent reported executive function skills were measured using the BRIEF-2 and adaptive behavior was measured using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-III. Results identified working memory as a significant predictor of Communication, Daily Living, and Socialization skills, and Shifting significantly predicted Daily Living and Socialization. Findings demonstrate the relation between executive functions and adaptive behavior and highlight the effects of working memory on aspects of daily functioning for individuals with DS.

The relationship between chronic health conditions and cognitive deficits in children, adolescents, and young adults with down syndrome: A systematic review

Background

Individuals with Down syndrome are predisposed to a number of chronic health conditions, but the relationship between these conditions and cognitive ability is not clear. The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess this relationship by evaluating studies that measure cognitive performance in the context of Down syndrome-associated chronic health conditions.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies included in this review (1) included children, adolescent, and young adult participants with Down syndrome and one or more co-occurring health conditions; (2) were quantitative; and (3) reported outcomes related to both chronic health conditions and cognitive performance. A set of predetermined chronic health conditions that are common in Down syndrome (e.g. sleep disorders, congenital heart disease, thyroid disease, seizure disorders, and pulmonary hypertension) were selected based on prevalence rates in Down syndrome.

Results

Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. The majority these of studies assessed cognitive performance in association with sleep disorders (47%) and congenital heart disease (47%). Fewer studies reported on the effect of thyroid disease (7%) and seizure disorders (7%) on cognitive ability. None of the studies reported cognitive outcomes related to pulmonary hypertension. Of the chronic health conditions evaluated, associations between sleep disorders and cognitive dysfunction were most common among individuals with Down syndrome.

Conclusions

Individuals with Down syndrome exhibit deficits in cognitive ability, particularly related to attention, executive function and verbal processing. These deficits may be further exacerbated by the presence of chronic health conditions, particularly sleep disorders. Individuals with Down syndrome and co-occurring sleep disorders may benefit from early interventions to mitigate their risk for adverse cognitive outcomes.

High prevalence of periodic limb movements of sleep in children with Down syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Increased periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS), > 5 events/h, are present in 1.2% to 7.7% of healthy children and associated with hypertension, attention deficit, and hyperactivity. This study sought to determine the prevalence of elevated PLMS in a large cohort of children with Down syndrome (DS) and their correlation with OSA and ferritin levels.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all children with DS ages 2 to 18 years in whom single baseline polysomnography (PSG) was performed at a pediatric hospital over 5 years.

RESULTS

A total of 418 children met inclusion criteria. Three hundred fifty-six children (85%) were referred because of concerns about sleep-disordered breathing; 49 (12%) were referred for screening per American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines; and 13 (3%) because of concerns about restless legs or periodic limb movement disorder. One hundred thirty-nine children (33.3%) had elevated PLMS; they were younger (6.3 years) than those without elevated PLMS (7.7 years). OSA was present in 176/418 (42.1%) children, including 13/49 (26.2%) asymptomatic children referred for screening PSG. Ferritin levels were only recorded in the charts of 65 of the children with elevated PLMS (46.7%); in 36 (55.4%) levels were < 50 ng/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

PLMS were increased in a substantial number of this large cohort of children with DS. Additional studies are necessary to assess utility of laboratory testing to predicting PLMS in similar, at-risk, populations. Screening PSG has value in identifying OSA in young, ostensibly asymptomatic children with DS. The prevalence of OSA increased with age in this cohort, unlike in typical children, requiring health care providers to remain vigilant for its emergence across the lifespan.

Adaptive behavior in infants and toddlers with Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience deficits across all domains of adaptive functioning, however little is known about the emergence and age-related changes of these impairments compared to other neurogenetic disorders with similar intellectual disability impairments, such as fragile X syndrome (FXS). Adaptive behavior is key for optimal functioning in these populations. Participants aged 5-45 months comprised three age-matched groups, DS (n = 64), FXS (n = 69), and typically developing controls (TD; n = 69). Adaptive behavior was measured on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II. Regressions were used to examine adaptive behavior in a cross-sectional design across age. DS infants and toddlers evidenced deficits across all areas of adaptive behaviors compared to the age-matched TD group, with clear impairments present in the first year of life. Motor skills were the area of greatest weakness in children with DS with significant impairment evident at 12 months of age that remained low through 3 years. Compared to age-matched children with FXS, children with DS showed initially lower standard scores at 12 months of age, but slower declines in standard scores across age, resulting in less impaired functioning at 36 months. This is the first study to compare adaptive behavior in infants and toddlers with DS to FXS, and demonstrate the phenotypic specificity of adaptive profiles in this diagnostic group. These findings provide evidence that adaptive behavior should be a major target of intervention in children with FXS and DS, and that these differences are potentially driven by unique etiologies attributable to each disorder.

Short-term motor learning through non-immersive virtual reality task in individuals with down syndrome

Background

Down syndrome (DS) has unique physical, motor and cognitive characteristics. Despite cognitive and motor difficulties, there is a possibility of intervention based on the knowledge of motor learning. However, it is important to study the motor learning process in individuals with DS during a virtual reality task to justify the use of virtual reality to organize intervention programs. The aim of this study was to analyze the motor learning process in individuals with DS during a virtual reality task.

Methods

A total of 40 individuals participated in this study, 20 of whom had DS (24 males and 8 females, mean age of 19 years, ranging between 14 and 30 yrs.) and 20 typically developing individuals (TD) who were matched by age and gender to the individuals with DS. To examine this issue, we used software that uses 3D images and reproduced a coincidence-timing task.

Results

The results showed that all individuals improved performance in the virtual task, but the individuals with DS that started the task with worse performance showed higher difference from the beginning. Besides that, they were able to retain and transfer the performance with increase of speed of the task.

Conclusion

Individuals with DS are able to learn movements from virtual tasks, even though the movement time was higher compared to the TD individuals. The results showed that individuals with DS who started with low performance improved coincidence- timing task with virtual objects, but were less accurate than typically developing individuals.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02719600.

Consideração da idade mental na avaliação do vocabulário expressivo de crianças com Síndrome de Down

RESUMO Objetivo: verificar vocabulário expressivo de crianças com Síndrome de Down, comparar ao desempenho de crianças com desenvolvimento típico de mesmo gênero em dois pareamentos distintos: considerando idade cronológica e mental, separadamente, e determinar a influência da idade considerada na avaliação desta população. Métodos: cumpriram-se aspectos éticos. Participaram 14 com Síndrome de Down, idade cronológica entre 38 a 63 meses, 14 com desenvolvimento típico pareado por gênero e idade mental e 14 com desenvolvimento típico pareado por gênero e idade cronológica. Após entrevista, aplicou-se Teste de Linguagem Infantil ABFW-Vocabulário Parte B. Para pareamento da idade mental utilizou-se o teste Stanford Binet. Aplicação do teste paramétrico ANOVA, teste Kruskal-Walis e Teste Tukey, quando necessário. Resultados: verificou-se desempenho inferior das crianças com Síndrome de Down comparadas ao grupo pareado por idade cronológica para nomeação correta e não nomeação das figuras. Não houve diferença significante entre o grupo com Síndrome de Down e com desenvolvimento típico pareado por idade mental. Conclusão: as crianças com Síndrome de Down apresentaram vocabulário expressivo aquém do esperado para a idade cronológica, porém próximo ao esperado para a idade mental, permitindo inferir que a idade considerada na avaliação da linguagem desta população interfere na análise dos resultados encontrados.

The effects of assisted cycling therapy (ACT) and voluntary cycling on reaction time and measures of executive function in adolescents with Down syndrome

BACKGROUND

Reports of positive effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in persons with Down syndrome are extremely limited. However, a novel exercise intervention, termed assisted cycling therapy (ACT), has resulted in acutely improved cognitive planning ability and reaction times as well as improved cognitive planning after 8 weeks of ACT in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. Here, we report the effects of 8 weeks of ACT on reaction time, set-shifting, inhibition and language fluency in adolescents with Down syndrome.

METHODS

Adolescents with Down syndrome (age: ~18 years) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of ACT (n = 17) or voluntary cycling (VC: n = 16), and a convenience sample (n = 11) was assigned to be an inactive comparison group (NC: n = 11). During ACT, the cycling cadence of the participants was augmented to an average cadence that was 80% faster than the voluntary cadence of the VC group. The increase in cadence was achieved with an electric motor in the stationary bicycle. Reaction time, set-shifting, inhibition and language fluency were assessed before and after 8 weeks of intervention.

RESULTS

Power output and heart rates of the ACT and VC groups were almost identical, but the ACT cadence was significantly faster. The ACT group, but not the VC or NC groups, showed significantly improved reactions times (Hedges' g = -0.42) and inhibitory control (g = 0.18). Only the VC group showed improved set-shifting ability (g = 0.57). The ACT and VC groups displayed improved semantic language fluency (g = 0.25, g = 0.22, respectively).

DISCUSSIONS

These and previous results support the hypothesis of increased neuroplasticity and prefrontal cortex function following ACT and, to a smaller extent, following VC. Both ACT and VC appear to be associated with cortical benefits, but based on current and previous results, ACT seems to maximize the benefits.

Enhancing classroom participation of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities

BACKGROUND

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have been found to participate less in school-based activities.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a combined in-service and collaborative consultation intervention model for enhancing classroom participation of students with IDD.

METHOD

The Collaborative Consultation for Participation of Students With IDD (Co-PID) program involved a multidisciplinary team (an occupational therapist and 17 teachers) as well as 35 students and was compared to an in-service program (20 teachers and 34 students). Students were 8 to 20 years old. The programs aimed to enhance three classroom participation components: communicating, choosing, and initiating.

FINDINGS

The Co-PID was found to significantly improve students' participation in all areas, whereas the participation of the students in the in-service group decreased.

IMPLICATIONS

A school-based multidisciplinary intervention program for students with IDD, combining in-service and collaborative consultation (e.g., Co-PID), may assist in enhancing classroom participation among students with IDD.

Motor, linguistic, personal and social aspects of children with Down syndrome

A global developmental delay is expected from Down syndrome, affecting motor, cognitive, linguistic and personal-social skills. However, not always these delays are proportional; different conditions occur due to several intrinsic and extrinsic variables that must be controlled to form groups of greater homogeneity.

The association between a single bout of moderate physical activity and executive function in young adults with Down syndrome: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND

This study was aimed at investigating the impact of a single exercise intervention on executive function in young adults with Down syndrome (DS).

METHODS

Considering the relations among executive function, physical and mental health and early onset of Alzheimer's disease in this population, we tested three components of executive function (e.g. choice-response time, attention shifting and inhibition) that have been shown to be impaired in previous studies. Ten persons with DS were assigned to an exercise group, who walked on a treadmill for 20 min at moderate intensity and ten additional persons with DS were assigned to an attentional control group, who watched a video. Measures of executive function were tested pre and post interventions.

RESULTS

These results showed non-significant improvements in choice-response time (P = 0.32) and attention shifting (P = 0.13) but a statistically significant improvement in inhibition (P = 0.03) after the exercise intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the improved inhibition ability, exercise may be an effective intervention, even in a signal session. However, only a few studies have focused on this topic. Based on theoretical models linking exercise to executive function, we proposed that exercise may increase arousal status or enhance neural transmission. Hence, future work is needed to examine the exact mechanism in the relationship between exercise and executive function for individuals with DS.

Characterization of a sleep architectural phenotype in children with Down syndrome

PURPOSE

Evidence suggests that while the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with Down syndrome (DS) likely contributes to sleep fragmentation, their poor sleep is only partly attributable to the presence of OSA. We hypothesized that a sleep phenotype exists for DS, which would be independent of OSA and evident across childhood.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of sleep architecture in children with DS together with matched controls. All subjects underwent baseline polysomnography between January 1985 and January 2013. Case-control pairs were compared according to age group.

RESULTS

Sleep characteristics were compared in 130 DS subjects aged 0-17.8 years (median 5.8 years) and 130 matched controls. Body mass index z-scores were similar between cases and controls. Compared to controls, children with DS had a lower sleep efficiency and higher percentage of slow-wave sleep at 2-6.9, 7-11.9, and 12-17.9 years (p <0.05 for all) as well as reduced rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep percentage, significant at 7-11.9 years (p <0.05). Children with DS exhibited increased N1 sleep at 2-6.9 years but decreased N1 sleep at 12-17.9 years compared to controls (p <0.05 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with DS exhibit altered sleep architecture when compared to non-DS children of similar age and OSA severity. Notably, reduced REM sleep and increased slow-wave sleep was seen independent of OSA in children with DS over 2 years. Amounts of both REM and non-REM sleep may have important implications for learning, memory, and behavior, all the more significant in this population with baseline neurocognitive impairment.

Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in individuals with Down syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Down syndrome (DS), which is caused by the trisomy of chromosome 21, is the most frequent of all genetic syndromes. The current study aims to estimate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in individuals with DS buy using the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score (DVSS) and correlate with functional constipation, age, and gender, as well as determine the most sensitive and specific factors associated with LUTS.

METHODS

LUTS was assessed in individuals with DS using a cross-sectional study through the application of a validated and adapted version of the DVSS for the Brazilian population. The presence of functional constipation was evaluated according to the Rome III criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 114 individuals assessed, 84 were included in the study (median age 16 ± 5.0 years, 66.7% female). The prevalence of LUTS was 27.3%. The symptoms were more frequent in males (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-8.3, p = 0.03) and in individuals younger than 10 years of age (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.8-14, p = 0.001). Functional constipation was observed in 50% of subjects. It was detected in 95.65% of the individuals with LUTS and 32.78% without LUTS (OR 45.1, 95% CI 5.66-301, p = 0.001). The symptom listed in question 8 ("push to pee") was the most specific indicator. When present, this symptom indicated a higher probability of LUTS (LR+ = 6.3), while the symptom listed in question 4 ("push for bowel movements to come out") showed high sensitivity and, when absent, indicated a lower probability of LUTS (LR- = 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

LUTS was more prevalent in young males with DS and appeared to improve with age. Functional constipation was strongly associated with LUTS. These findings will contribute to raising the awareness of professionals involved in the follow-up of individuals with DS regarding the clinical manifestations and the need for a standardized investigation of LUTS.

Influence of the environment on participation in social roles for young adults with down syndrome

Background

The concept of disability is now understood as a result of the interaction between the individual, features related to impairment, and the physical and social environment. It is important to understand these environmental influences and how they affect social participation. The purpose of this study is to describe the social participation of young adults with Down syndrome and examine its relationship with the physical and social environment.

Methods

Families ascertained from the Down syndrome ‘Needs Opinion Wishes’ database completed questionnaires during 2011. The questionnaires contained two parts, young person characteristics and family characteristics. Young adults’ social participation was measured using the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H) and the influences of environmental factors were measured by the Measure of the Quality of the Environment (MQE). The analysis involved descriptive statistics and linear and logistic regression.

Results

Overall, participation in daily activities was higher (mean 6.45) than in social roles (mean 5.17) (range 0 to 9). When the physical and/or social environment was reported as a facilitator, compared to being no influence or a barrier, participation in social roles was greater (coef 0.89, 95%CI 0.28, 1.52, coef 0.83, 95%CI 0.17, 1.49, respectively). The relationships between participation and both the physical (coef 0.60, 95% CI −0.40, 1.24) and social (coef 0.20, 95%CI −0.47, 0.87) environments were reduced when age, gender, behavior and functioning in ADL were taken into account.

Conclusion

We found that young adults’ participation in social roles was influenced more by the physical environment than by the social environment, providing a potentially modifiable avenue for intervention.

Acute bouts of assisted cycling improves cognitive and upper extremity movement functions in adolescents with Down syndrome

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 2 modes of exercise on cognitive and upper extremity movement functioning in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Nine participants randomly completed 3 interventions over 3 consecutive weeks. The interventions were: (a) voluntary cycling (VC), in which participants cycled at their self-selected pedaling rate; (b) assisted cycling (AC), in which the participants' voluntary pedaling rates were augmented with a motor to ensure the maintenance of 80 rpm; and (c) no cycling (NC), in which the participants sat and listened to music. Manual dexterity improved after AC, but not after VC or NC. Measures of cognitive function, including reaction time and cognitive planning, also improved after AC, but not after the other interventions. Future research will try to uncover the mechanisms involved in the behavioral improvements found after an acute bout of assisted cycling in adolescents with DS.

Does ceruloplasmin differential express in the brain of Ts65Dn: a mouse mode of Down syndrome?

To investigate the expression of CP in Down syndrome (DS) mouse model, we especially observed the changes in neuronal CP. We systematically analyzed the level of CP in Ts65Dn mouse, including serum CP concentration and enzymatic activity, CP mRNA in brain, the expression of CP protein in brain. The applied technologies were ELISA, chemical colorimetry, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry. Compared with the control group, there were no differences of significance in the concentration, enzymatic activity and unit activity of serum ceruloplasmin. By RT-PCR, we also found there were no significant differences in the level of CP mRNA. The expression of CP was positive in the endochylema of neuronal cells of both the groups, and there were no significant difference between the two groups. Meanwhile, there were no differences in four regions of the brain (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebella). Although the neurotoxic effects of CP related to some neurodegenerative diseases, but whether it does so in DS remains to be determined.

Performance of Down syndrome subjects during a coincident timing task

BACKGROUND

The time synchronization is a very important ability for the acquisition and performance of motor skills that generate the need to adapt the actions of body segments to external events of the environment that are changing their position in space. Down Syndrome (DS) individuals may present some deficits to perform tasks with synchronization demand. We aimed to investigate the performance of individuals with DS in a simple Coincident Timing task.

METHOD

32 individuals were divided into 2 groups: the Down syndrome group (DSG) comprised of 16 individuals with average age of 20 (+/- 5 years old), and a control group (CG) comprised of 16 individuals of the same age. All individuals performed the Simple Timing (ST) task and their performance was measured in milliseconds. The study was conducted in a single phase with the execution of 20 consecutive trials for each participant.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the intergroup analysis for the accuracy adjustment - Absolute Error (Z = 3.656, p = 0.001); and for the performance consistence - Variable Error (Z = 2.939, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

DS individuals have more difficulty in integrating the motor action to an external stimulus and they also present more inconsistence in performance. Both groups presented the same tendency to delay their motor responses.

Correlations of sensory processing and visual organization ability with participation in school-aged children with Down syndrome

Previous work has highlighted delays and differences in cognitive, language, and sensorimotor functions in children diagnosed with Down syndrome (DS). However, sensory processing and visual organization abilities have not been well-examined in DS to date. This study aimed to investigate the developmental profile of sensory processing and visual organization abilities, body functions classified by the World Health Organization's ICF model, and their impacts on participation in DS to guide research and evidence-based practices. Two hundred and six children (101 boys, 105 girls) with DS (age range = 6 years 1 month to 12 years 10 months; mean age = 8 years 1 month) were assessed on measures of sensory processing (Sensory Profile), visual organization ability (Hooper Visual Organization Test), and activity participation (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, School Function Assessment). Our findings characterized the developmental continuum of body functions (sensory processing and visual organization) of children with DS, and revealed their correlations with activity participation. Interventions focused on improving body functions is needed while stressing the acquisition of functional skills that increase participation in age-appropriate activities.

Comparação do léxico de crianças com Síndrome de Down e com desenvolvimento típico de mesma idade mental

OBJETIVO: verificar o desempenho lexical, receptivo e expressivo, de crianças com Síndrome de Down e comparar com o desempenho lexical de crianças com desenvolvimento típico pareados por sexo e idade mental. MÉTODO: participaram do estudo 40 crianças, 20 com síndrome de Down (grupo experimental - GE), de ambos os sexos, com idade cronológica variando entre 36 e 71 meses e 20 crianças com desenvolvimento típico (grupo controle - GC) pareadas quanto ao sexo e idade mental (avaliação psicológica com o instrumento Nova Versão do Método Stanford-Binet, adaptado por Terman e Merril) com o GE. Após a assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido pelos responsáveis legais, estes responderam um protocolo de anamnese, contendo informações sobre a vida pregressa do participante. A avaliação foi composta pela aplicação do Teste de Vocabulário por Imagens Peabody (TVIP), que avalia vocabulário receptivo, e do Teste de Linguagem Infantil ABFW - Vocabulário Parte B, que avalia vocabulário expressivo. RESULTADOS: os participantes do GE apresentaram desempenho inferior ao GC no TVIP e na designação verbal usual do ABFW, com diferenças estatisticamente significantes. Verificou-se correlação entre o desempenho no vocabulário receptivo e expressivo de ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: verificou-se que o desempenho lexical, receptivo e expressivo, das crianças com SD é inferior ao de crianças com desenvolvimento típico, mesmo quando pareadas pela idade mental.

Practice guidelines for communicating a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome: recommendations of the national society of genetic counselors

Down syndrome is one of the most common conditions encountered in the genetics clinic. Due to improvements in healthcare, educational opportunities, and community inclusion over the past 30 years, the life expectancy and quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome have significantly improved. As prenatal screening and diagnostic techniques have become more enhanced and widely available, genetic counselors can expect to frequently provide information and support following a new diagnosis of Down syndrome. This guideline was written for genetic counselors and other healthcare providers regarding the communication of a diagnosis of Down syndrome to ensure that families are consistently given up-to-date and balanced information about the condition, delivered in a supportive and respectful manner.