Co-occurring Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cognitive, Adaptive, and Behavioral Characteristics

J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Mar;52(3):1235-1246. doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05016-6. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Abstract

The current study explores functioning in individuals with co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome (ASD+DS; n = 23), individuals with ASD and cognitive impairment (ASD+ID; n = 99) and individuals with idiopathic ID (n = 38). ANCOVA results revealed that individuals with ASD+DS showed strengths in behavioral functioning compared to individuals with ID and more similar behavioral functioning to those with ASD+ID (η2 = 0.12), with the exception of disruptive behaviors. Cognitive functioning (ɸc = 0.41) and ASD symptomatology (η2 = 0.11) were more comparable for children with ASD+DS and ASD + ID than for individuals with ID. Individuals with ASD+DS had the lowest overall adaptive skills (η2 = 0.11). Findings highlight similarities between ASD+DS and ASD+ID groups, emphasizing the importance of ASD identification within the DS population to provide access to specific interventions.

Keywords: Adaptive functioning; Autism spectrum disorder; Cognitive functioning; Down syndrome; Dual diagnosis; Emotional and behavioral functioning.

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / complications
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / epidemiology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / psychology
  • Child
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Dysfunction*
  • Down Syndrome* / complications
  • Down Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Down Syndrome* / psychology
  • Humans