{"id":57028,"date":"2019-09-04T12:27:35","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T18:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globaldownsyndrome.org\/?p=57028"},"modified":"2025-08-21T13:13:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T19:13:55","slug":"navigating-dual-diagnosis-syndrome-autism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globaldownsyndrome.org\/it\/navigating-dual-diagnosis-syndrome-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating a Dual Diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nFrom Mondo della sindrome di DownTM<\/sup><\/a> Spring 2016<\/em><\/p>\n


\nFinding out your child with Down syndrome has co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder (DS-ASD) can be daunting, but a better understanding of DS-ASD opens doors to resources and support that benefit children and families alike.
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\n<\/a>This article was published in the award-winning Down Syndrome World\u2122<\/a> magazine. Become a member<\/a> to read all the articles and get future issues delivered to your door! <\/span><\/div>\n

ACCORDING TO THE<\/strong> American Psychiatric Association, ASD is a complex developmental disorder that can cause problems with thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. Symptoms occur on a spectrum ranging from mild to severe, and are characterized by challenges in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.<\/p>\n

Current research suggests between 8 and 18 percent of individuals with Down syndrome may also have autism. According to Sarah Hartway, R.N., M.S., President of the Board of Directors of The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection\u2122, an additional 25 percent of people with Down syndrome may exhibit some autism symptoms but not with enough prevalence or severity to be diagnosed with DS-ASD.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cWe know autism occurs more frequently in people who have other genetic or chromosomal anomalies,\u201d Hartway said. \u201cSo it\u2019s not surprising that people who have Down syndrome are more likely to have autism than the general population.\u201d<\/p>\n

SPOTTING THE SIGNS OF AUSTISM<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll children, at any given time, can exhibit behaviors that are consistent with autism, but a child with DS -ASD may engage in them more frequently or find them to be more problematic,\u201d said Robin Zaborek, who also sits on The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection Board of Directors. \u201cNumber, frequency, and intensity of behaviors may be distinguishing factors in evaluating for DS-ASD.\u201d<\/p><\/p>\n

\nAccording to Zaborek, children with DS-ASD may engage in the following behaviors:<\/p>\n