Search results for ‘Subject term:"downs syndrome"’ Sort:
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Individual and environmental characteristics associated with cognitive development in Down syndrome: a longitudinal study
- Authors:
- COUZENS Donna, HAYNES Michele, CUSKELLY Monica
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(5), September 2012, pp.396-413.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Although research has identified a behavioural phenotype associated with Down syndrome, it is not clear how individual and environmental characteristics combine to influence age-related change for the different abilities that underpin these phenotypic patterns. The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate associations among cognitive development and intrapersonal and environmental characteristics for individuals with Down syndrome to understand developmental patterns associated with cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The data for this analysis came from 89 individuals who were participants in longitudinal research as part of the Down Syndrome Research Program. The files for this subset of participants contained information for characteristics measured by the Stanford-Binet IV (SB:IV) scales collected for each participant from the age of 4 to 30 years. Analysis revealed that temperament, maternal education, medical conditions and school experiences were associated with cognitive differences. Additional associations with rate of development were detected for negative mood, persistence, maternal education level and elementary school experience for several subtests. The article concludes that early cognitive advantage and consistent opportunities to learn academic content appear to facilitate cognitive development, although this was confounded with ability and maternal education.
A prospective, longitudinal study of functional decline in individuals with Down's Syndrome
- Authors:
- McKENZIE K., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities for Nursing Health and Social Care, 2(2), June 1998, pp.98-104.
This article used a standardised criteria for diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease in individuals with learning disabilities to undertake a prospective, longitudinal study of 22 individuals with Down's Syndrome. Results show that, after a period of up to 6 years, four individuals showed functional decline. A similar pattern of decline was found to that described in previous studies, although the mean age of onset was later. All four subjects met the criteria for probable Alzheimer's Disease.
50 years with Down syndrome: a longitudinal study
- Authors:
- CARR Janet, COLLINS Suzanne
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(5), 2018, pp.743-750.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: A population sample of people with Down syndrome, studied from infancy, has now been followed up at the age of 50 years. From the original sample of 54, there were 27 still in the study at the age of 50, all but four of the losses resulting from deaths. Methods: Intelligence and language skills were tested and daily living skills assessed. Memory/cognitive deterioration was examined using two test instruments. Other aspects of the people's lives were examined via carers' reports. Results: Scores on verbal tests showed little change. Those on a non‐verbal test, on self‐help skills and on both memory tests showed some decline, even when the scores of those already suffering from dementia were discounted. Conclusions: At the age of 50, those not already diagnosed with dementia showed some decline on most tests. While this may include scores of people who subsequently develop dementia, it may also reflect the normal ageing process in this population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Six weeks to 45 years: a longitudinal study of a population with Down syndrome
- Author:
- CARR Janet
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(5), September 2012, pp.414-422.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A population sample of 30 people with Down syndrome, repeatedly studied since infancy, has now been followed up at the age of 45 years. The paper provides an overview of their abilities over their life span to date, focusing particularly on the most recent 24 years. As at all previous occasions from age 30 onwards, intelligence, language, academic abilities and memory were tested, and self-help skills assessed. The most striking finding is the maintenance of test scores. Mean IQs, both non-verbal and verbal, changed little from age 21 to 45. Disregarding the scores of 2 women severely affected by dementia, the remainder of the cohort lost over the whole period an average of less than 1 point in non-verbal IQ and gained over 5 months in verbal age. Scores on memory tests by some of those not yet diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease declined, in some cases significantly, suggesting that other members of the cohort too may be showing the early signs of the disease. The article concludes that most of the cohort show few indications of decline in ability. However, at the latest stage, a number now are or may be affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and this may require closer monitoring in the future.
Investigating the lived experience of people with Down syndrome with dementia: overcoming methodological and ethical challenges
- Author:
- WATCHMAN Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(2), 2016, p.190–198.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Adults with Down syndrome are at increased risk of dementia at a significantly younger age and remain under-represented as participants in dementia-related research. Because little is known about their personal experiences either immediately postdiagnosis or as dementia progresses, there is little opportunity that shared individual experiences can shape future policy and practice. To remedy this omission, the author examined methodological and ethical challenges identified as part of a research study that included people with Down syndrome affected by dementia. It has been contended that traditional qualitative approaches are less effective when participants are affected by changing cognitive functioning and reduced verbal communication. To counteract this contention overt participant observation and an adapted narrative research method were used as part of a three-year longitudinal study to help better understand the lived experiences of three adults with Down syndrome affected by dementia. Methodological and ethical challenges were shown to collide, and factors contributing to this effect included identifying process consent, accurate representation of participants, the role of and relationship with the researcher, participants, lack of awareness of their diagnosis of dementia, and need to recognize the importance of social interaction while maintaining academic rigor. Reflections are proffered on two conceptual and practice issues, with a call for both to be recognised and addressed in terms of future policy and practice. First is a lack of awareness of a sense of “self” or identity, resulting in individuals with Down syndrome and dementia being defined by their situation rather than individual preference or need. Second is the lack of information postdiagnosis about dementia being shared with people who have Down syndrome. (Publisher abstract)
A five year follow up study of adaptive behaviour in adults with Down syndrome
- Authors:
- COLLACOTT Richard A., COOPER Sally-Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 22(3), September 1997, pp.187-197.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Follow up Adaptive Behaviour Scale (ABS) assessments were undertaken on a population of people with Down syndrome, after a mean period of five years. Participants were randomly selected within age stratified groups: 20 people from the original age bands 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, and all the 12 people in the original age band 60+ years. Examinations were successfully completed in 83 cases. Loss of skills was found to increase with age, and was common over the age of 40 years. The study examines age-related deterioration in ABS scores and subscores.
Permanency planning for children with Down's Syndrome: the adolescent years
- Authors:
- MASON Kathy, SELMAN Peter, HUGHES Mike
- Journal article citation:
- Adoption and Fostering, 23(1), Spring 1999, pp.31-39.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Reports on the third stage of a longitudinal study of 12 children with Down's Syndrome placed for adoption by Barnardo's North East. The children are now aged 12 to 16 years and this article focuses on new issues arising for the children and their families, including the onset of puberty and the dilemmas over what to tell the children about their adoption. Overall the placements continue to prove successful with no breakdowns and a majority of the adoptive parents have subsequently adopted at least one more child with Down's Syndrome.