When it comes to autism vs. Down syndrome, there are differences between autism and Down syndrome, as well as similarities. The conditions arise from different causes, as Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder, whereas multiple genetic, environmental, and biological factors may contribute to Autism.
About 16-18 out of every 100 people with Down syndrome have ASD. Doctors believe there may be even more people with Down syndrome who also have ASD because of diagnostic overshadowing (when behaviors are attributed to Down syndrome rather than to another possible diagnosis, like ASD).
Many people with Down syndrome have the common facial features and no other major birth defects. However, some people with Down syndrome might have one or more major birth defects or other medical problems.
One recent study found that up to 50% of children with a genetic disorder called 22q11. 2 deletion syndrome were told they had autism when they didn't. That's because many of the symptoms of 22q11. 2 deletion syndrome, including delayed speech development, can also be signs of autism.
Although the exact cause of autism is still unknown, there is evidence to suggest that genetics play a significant role. Since autism is less prevalent in females, autism was always thought to be passed down from the mother. However, research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father.
Research in the past several years has shown that children can outgrow a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), once considered a lifelong condition. In a new study, researchers have found that the vast majority of such children still have difficulties that require therapeutic and educational support.
What is mosaic Down syndrome? Mosaic Down syndrome happens when an extra copy of chromosome 21 is present in some, but not all, of the body's cells. Chromosomes contain all of the genetic information that tells our body how to grow and function.
Down syndrome symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. No matter how severe the condition is, people with Down syndrome have a widely-recognized appearance. The head may be smaller than normal and abnormally shaped.
1. Today the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome is approximately 60 years. As recently as 1983, the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome was 25 years. The dramatic increase to 60 years is largely due to the end of the inhumane practice of institutionalizing people with Down syndrome.
Most individuals with Down syndrome have mild (IQ: 50–69) or moderate (IQ: 35–50) intellectual disability with some cases having severe (IQ: 20–35) difficulties.
The average intelligence quotient (IQ) of children with DS is around 50, ranging between 30 and 70. Remarkably, a small number of patients have a profound degree of ID, whereas others have a mild degree despite the absence of any genetic, cultural or familial favoring or disfavoring causes.
Trisomy ('three bodies') means the affected person has three copies of one of the chromosomes instead of two. This means they have 47 chromosomes instead of 46. Down syndrome, Edward syndrome and Patau syndrome are the most common forms of trisomy.
Down Syndrome rates increased over time among individuals who identify as Black, Hispanic, or AIAN, but not among white or Asian individuals. Whether accessing and navigating changes in Down syndrome testing is contributing to these disparities in outcomes needs further study.
Their personality characteristics vary, as well. Think of the different personality traits that typical people have and you have just as many traits that can occur in people with Down syndrome – they can be funny, sarcastic, indifferent, ambitious, laid back, high strung, loving… the list could go on forever.
Physical signs of Down syndrome are usually present at birth and become more apparent as your baby grows. They can include: A flat nose bridge. Slanted eyes that point upward.
In many ways, children who have Down syndrome are like other children. They have the same moods and emotions, they like to learn new things, play, and enjoy life. You can help your child develop by providing as many chances as possible for them to do these things.
Kids with Down syndrome often have similar physical features, such as a flat facial profile, an upward slant to the eyes, small ears, and a tongue that tends to stick out. Low muscle tone (called hypotonia) is also common in kids with Down syndrome but is less obvious as they get older.
Children with Down syndrome usually have delayed speech and language development. Typically, these children have a much harder time learning to talk (expressive language) than with understanding what they hear (receptive language).
Level 1 is the mildest, or “highest functioning” form of autism, which includes those who would have previously been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Individuals with ASD level 1 may have difficulty understanding social cues and may struggle to form and maintain personal relationships.
It's important to note that just because a toddler may exhibit some signs of autism, it does not necessarily mean they have autism. Some toddlers may show delays in communication or socialization due to other factors such as hearing loss, language barriers, or even simply being introverted.
When Does Autism Get Easier? A new study found that around 30% of young autistic children have less severe symptoms at age 6 than they did at age 3. Interestingly, some children lose their autism diagnoses entirely.
Down's syndrome can be traced through families in less than 1% of people with the condition. These people all have rare types of translocation. It is very unusual for parents to have more than one child with Down's syndrome, or for relatives of these parents to have a child with the condition.