Using the Social Skills Improvement System (SSiS) Rating Scales to assess social skills in youth with Down syndrome

Introduction and MethodsThis study provides preliminary data on the Social Skills Improvement System (SSiS) Rating Scales Parent Form to measure social skills in a sample of 124 children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) ages 6–17 years.ResultsOverall, participants demonstrated relatively mild symptoms, with the sample’s average standard score falling within 1 standard deviation from the mean of the normative sample for the social skills (M = 92, SD = 15) and problem behaviors (M = 104, SD = 12) domains (normative sample M = 100, SD = 15 for both domains). However, a wide range of scores was observed across the sample for the composite and subscale scores. Differential patterns were also observed by subscale. For some subscales (i.e., Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Engagement, Externalizing, Hyperactivity/Inattention, and Autism Spectrum), a disproportionate number of participants scored in the below average (i.e., lower levels of social skills) or above average (i.e., more symptomatic in problem behaviors or autism spectrum) range relative to the normative sample; for other subscales (i.e., Communication, Empathy, Self-Control, Bullying, and Internalizing), participants’ score distribution aligned more closely to that of the normative sample. SSiS composite scores correlated in the expected directions with standardized measures of autism characteristics, executive function, and expressive language.DiscussionThis study provides some of the first evidence validating the use of the SSiS in youth with DS, filling a gap in standardized measures of social functioning in this population

Estabilidad y cambios en la salud, las habilidades funcionales y los problemas de conducta en adultos con y sin síndrome de Down

Se analizaron los cambios producidos en la salud, habilidades funcionales y problemas de conducta de 150 adultos con síndrome de Down y 240 adultos con retraso mental debido a otras causas, mediante siete evaluaciones que se realizaron a lo largo de un período de 9 años. Al comienzo del estudio, los adultos tenían menos de 40 años, la edad en la que empieza a notarse un declive en las personas con síndrome de Down. En comparación con las personas con retraso mental pero sin síndrome de Down, los adultos con síndrome de Down las aventajaron en sus habilidades funcionales y en la falta de problemas conductuales, se mostraron similares en el área de la salud, y mostraron tasas o velocidades de cambio similares en todas estas medidas. El trasladarlos fuera de su casa y la muerte de los padres podían ocasionar cambios en su salud, sus habilidades funcionales y problemas de conducta

Estabilidad y cambios en la salud, las habilidades funcionales y los problemas de conducta en adultos con y sin síndrome de Down

Se analizaron los cambios producidos en la salud, habilidades funcionales y problemas de conducta de 150 adultos con síndrome de Down y 240 adultos con retraso mental debido a otras causas, mediante siete evaluaciones que se realizaron a lo largo de un período de 9 años. Al comienzo del estudio, los adultos tenían menos de 40 años, la edad en la que empieza a notarse un declive en las personas con síndrome de Down. En comparación con las personas con retraso mental pero sin síndrome de Down, los adultos con síndrome de Down las aventajaron en sus habilidades funcionales y en la falta de problemas conductuales, se mostraron similares en el área de la salud, y mostraron tasas o velocidades de cambio similares en todas estas medidas. El trasladarlos fuera de su casa y la muerte de los padres podían ocasionar cambios en su salud, sus habilidades funcionales y problemas de conducta

Age-Related Differences in Restricted Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Restricted repetitive behaviors (RRBs) were examined in a large group of children, adolescents and adults with ASD in order to describe age-related patterns of symptom change and association with specific contextual factors, and to examine if the patterns of change are different for the various types of RRBs. Over 700 individuals with ASD were rated on the Repetitive Behavior Scale – Revised. RRBs were less frequent and less severe among older than younger individuals, corroborating that autism symptoms abate with age. Our findings further suggest that repetitive behaviors are a heterogeneous group of behaviors, with the subtypes of RRBs having their own individual patterns across the lifespan, and in some cases, a differential association with age depending on intellectual functioning

Psychometric evaluation of a working memory assessment measure in young children with Down syndrome

BackgroundWorking memory involves the temporary storage and manipulation of information and is frequently an area of challenge for individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Despite the potential benefits of intervention, laboratory assessments of working memory that could capture intervention effects have not undergone rigorous evaluation for use with young children with DS. It is critical to evaluate assessments of working memory in young children with DS to ensure the reliable and accurate measurement of performance.AimThis study evaluated an adapted laboratory measure of working memory for young children with DS 2-8 years old.MethodA self-ordered pointing task, the Garage Game, was administered to 78 children with DS (mean = 5.17 years; SD = 1.49). Adaptations were made to the task to minimize potential DS phenotype-related language and motor confounds.ResultsResults indicate that the measure is feasible, scalable, and developmentally sensitive, with minimal floor and practice effects for this population within this chronological and developmental age range.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that the Garage Game is promising for use in studies of early working memory and treatment trials that aim to support the development of this critical dimension of executive functioning for children with DS

Opportunities, barriers, and recommendations in down syndrome research

Recent advances in medical care have increased life expectancy and improved the quality of life for people with Down syndrome (DS). These advances are the result of both pre-clinical and clinical research but much about DS is still poorly understood. In 2020, the NIH announced their plan to update their DS research plan and requested input from the scientific and advocacy community. The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the LuMind IDSC Foundation worked together with scientific and medical experts to develop recommendations for the NIH research plan. NDSS and LuMind IDSC assembled over 50 experts across multiple disciplines and organized them in eleven working groups focused on specific issues for people with DS. This review article summarizes the research gaps and recommendations that have the potential to improve the health and quality of life for people with DS within the next decade. This review highlights many of the scientific gaps that exist in DS research. Based on these gaps, a multidisciplinary group of DS experts has made recommendations to advance DS research. This paper may also aid policymakers and the DS community to build a comprehensive national DS research strategy

Perspectives on ethnic and racial disparities in Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementias: Update and areas of immediate need

Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) are a global crisis facing the aging population and society as a whole. With the numbers of people with ADRDs predicted to rise dramatically across the world, the scientific community can no longer neglect the need for research focusing on ADRDs among underrepresented ethnoracial diverse groups. The Alzheimer\u27s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer\u27s Research and Treatment (ISTAART; alz.org/ISTAART) comprises a number of professional interest areas (PIAs), each focusing on a major scientific area associated with ADRDs. We leverage the expertise of the existing international cadre of ISTAART scientists and experts to synthesize a cross-PIA white paper that provides both a concise “state-of-the-science” report of ethnoracial factors across PIA foci and updated recommendations to address immediate needs to advance ADRD science across ethnoracial populations. © 2018 The Author

Stability and Change in Health, Functional Abilities, and Behavior Problems Among Adults With and Without Down Syndrome

Changes in health, functional abilities, and behavior problems among 150 adults with Down syndrome and 240 adults with mental retardation due to other causes were examined with seven assessments over a 9-year period. Adults were primarily younger than 40, the age at which declines begin to be evident in individuals with Down syndrome. Adults with Down syndrome were advantaged in their functional abilities and lack of behavior prob-lems, comparable in health, and exhibited comparable rates of change on these measures as adults with mental retardation due to other causes. Placement out of the parental home and parental death were predictors of change in health, functional abilities, and behavior problems. The past 50 years have been a time of re-markable change for individuals with Down syn-drome, as medical breakthroughs and improve-ments in services have extended their life expec-tancy dramatically (Bittles & Glasson, 2004; Ey-man & Borthwick-Duffy, 1994; Glasson et al., 2002). Significant research attention has been fo-cused on the health and longevity of adults with Down syndrome in the modern era of antibiotics, easier access to health care and life-saving surger-ies, and community rather than institutional res

Estabilidad y cambios en la salud, las habilidades funcionales y los problemas de conducta en adultos con y sin síndrome de Down

Se analizaron los cambios producidos en la salud, habilidades funcionales y problemas de conducta de 150 adultos con síndrome de Down y 240 adultos con retraso mental debido a otras causas, mediante siete evaluaciones que se realizaron a lo largo de un período de 9 años. Al comienzo del estudio, los adultos tenían menos de 40 años, la edad en la que empieza a notarse un declive en las personas con síndrome de Down. En comparación con las personas con retraso mental pero sin síndrome de Down, los adultos con síndrome de Down las aventajaron en sus habilidades funcionales y en la falta de problemas conductuales, se mostraron similares en el área de la salud, y mostraron tasas o velocidades de cambio similares en todas estas medidas. El trasladarlos fuera de su casa y la muerte de los padres podían ocasionar cambios en su salud, sus habilidades funcionales y problemas de conducta