Re: hi guys... questions about non-verbal children

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/14/2006 1:30:11 P.M. Central Standard Time,

writes:

Bob, you are bad...you should start off your posts identifying yourself, so

we don't think Lynn has gone crazy on us......JK dear!!

I responded but do want to add that I think it's important to *rule* out

other things, such as hearing issues. Cognitive impairment certainly

is a

contributor, but then it's my understanding that there are some folks with

just

autism, who are non-verbal, but don't know if the MR is the reason (I

believe 25% of those dx'd with autism do NOT have MR). Would be

interesting to

see if there are kids with JUST DS out there, who are completely

non-verbal,

like many of our kids dually dx'd are. I personally can't think of any.

Hmmmm.....maybe I will take a poll on the DS listserv.

Donna

Donna,

I think that you would find adults with ds who are non verbal and are

considered only MR (vs ds and autism) but I would bet the bulk of them would

now be

diagnosed with autism.

Personally, I think that verbal apraxia and/or motor apraxia (or movement

disorders) are BIG issues for lots of people who are " MR " or autistic and

non-verbal, not as much the lack of cognitive ability.

Karyn