Finally, you may consider calling the local department or case coordinator in your district for additional services that may be available in your area. Reduced interest in being sociable, conversing or expressing thoughts. Among the reported side effects of stimulants like Adderall are new or increased hostility and aggressive behavior. Although there is increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders in people with intellectual disabilities as a whole (Mantry et al, 2008; Buckles et al, 2013), certain psychiatric illnesses are more common amongst people with Down’s syndrome … We recommend that if any negative changes are to be anticipated that supportive counseling services and supports be put in place in anticipation of their impact. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. For this reason, the main emphasis in treatment of ADHD-like symptoms needs to focus on behavioral and therapeutic strategies to enhance adaptive functioning and performance in the home and classroom settings. But the student has already told you the answer-- he wants to go home. Like all children, children with Down syndrome are going to present caregivers with challenging behaviors, and they require both clear expectations about “good” behavior and appropriate limit-setting on unacceptable behavior. He finds his home environment more reinforcing that school. Children with Down syndrome may also wander, have attention problems, and show oppositional behavior or compulsive behavior, advises the National Down Syndrome … old, has begun puberty, and also started a new school in September. I have been at a loss to explain his sudden aggressive behavior; I've been playing the guessing game: 1. He is 10 yrs. Down Syndrome Association of West MI Section 1, Page 4 Guide for Teens & Young Adults with DS July 2010 chronic illnesses, an annual influenza (flu) shot is recommended as well as a pneumonia vaccine every seven years. Perhaps he is allowed to do whatever he wants at home. Change in behavior can be challenging for both a person with Down syndrome and his family. Adult Down Syndrome Center 1610 Luther Lane, Park Ridge, IL 60068 847-318-2303 Aggressive Behavior and Alzheimer’s Disease Brian Chicoine, MD Medical Director I received the question below: I am writing to you for advice on how to handle extreme aggressive behavior my 48-year-old son has been displaying. Sorry to hear of the struggles. The child or adult under these circumstances tends often to be unhappy, fearful, and the two states – generalized anxiety and obsessive -compulsive behaviors – may often co-exist. Vee P Prasher (UK) and Neha Bansal (UK) Down’s syndrome is the commonest genetic cause of intellectual disabilities (Vicari et al, 2013). There are a number of baseline tests that need to be completed to rule out medical conditions that are often associated with children/adults with Down syndrome presenting with a “behavioral problem.” Among these we recommend considering the following conditions: As part of the comprehensive checklist of potential medical conditions it is important also to make sure that the child/adult with Down syndrome has been evaluated for hearing (audiology), vision (ophthalmology), anemia (hematology) and GERD (GI). Despite the fact that many individuals with Down syndrome experience significant cognitive delays and other associated physical conditions, they have a very wide range of abilities, and each individual develops at his or her own pace. It is essential to rule out any underlying medical and neurological conditions, and especially to consider the possibility of adverse effect of medications that may lead to secondary mood instability. Behavioral change is commonly part of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome. The first thing we recommend is a good physical exam and an assessment for contributing medical issues. 5. I can’t emphasize enough the need to look for contributing physical issues. Cognitive Development and the Psychological Evaluation. Disrupted sleep commonly co-occurs in both depression and anxiety states and do not necessarily help us to distinguish between them. In the classroom setting, behavioral management and one-on-one aide may help to keep the situation in better control and to enable learning. 3. If your teen has delayed auditory sequential processing, you may have very childish behavior coupled with very adolescent desires for autonomy. Irritability, uncooperativeness or aggression. For this reason, many children with such characteristic behaviors are treated with stimulant medications. hypothyroidism, may not remove the underlying emotional/behavioral issues. Aggressive Behavior & Down Syndrome & Fecal Incontinence Symptom Checker: Possible causes include Alzheimer Disease. What Are The Major Mental Health Related Concerns in Persons with Down Syndrome? Because emotional/behavioral and physical issues are intertwined, the two need to be treated concurrently. A young child with Down syndrome that presents with persistent oppositional, impulsive, disruptive, irritable, and aggressive behaviors should be considered under a possible mood disorder. It can be the presenting symptoms – in other words, there may not be any or minimal changes aside from the behavioral change at the beginning. There is a need to develop a better evidence base with expanded research in mental health aspects of Down syndrome. 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