new study--autism not uncommon in ds....

December 4, 2001

Dev Med Child Neurol 2001 Nov;43(11):750-4

Autistic disorders in Down syndrome: background factors and clinical

correlates.

Rasmussen P, Borjesson O, Wentz E, Gillberg C.

Institute for the Health of Women and Children, Department of Child and

Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Goteburg, Sweden.

ann.nordstrom@...

A study of a clinic-based sample of 25 individuals (12 females, 13 males;

age at diagnosis 14.4 years, SD 7.4 years; age range 4 to 33 years) with

Down syndrome (DS) and autism spectrum disorders, demonstrates that autism

is by no means rare in DS. Results showed that there was a considerable

delay in the diagnosis of autism as compared with children with autism who

did not have DS. In 11 participants medical factors were identified that

were likely to be of importance in contributing to the development of

autism, and in four further participants there were factors of possible

significance. Such factors include a history of autism or autism-related

disorders in first- or second-degree relatives (n=5), infantile spasms

(n=5), early hypothyroidism (n=3), evidence of brain injury after

complicated heart surgery (n=2), or a combination of these factors. It is

important that autism is recognised, identified, and fully assessed in

individuals with DS in order for them to receive appropriate education and

support.

December 5, 2001

In a message dated 12/4/01 9:31:46 PM Pacific Standard Time,

jmedlen@... writes:

<< Such factors include a history of autism or autism-related

disorders in first- or second-degree relatives (n=5), infantile spasms

(n=5), early hypothyroidism (n=3), evidence of brain injury after

complicated heart surgery (n=2), or a combination of these factors. >>

This is interesting Joan. Seth had spasms when he was an infant. I don't

know how many times I took him in to be checked and they couldn't find

anything wrong. I always thought he was choking, but never was and they

couldn't find anything wrong with his throat or anything. He was never

drinking a bottle when it happened either. Why would that have anything to

do with autism I wonder?

Gail :-)

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