Down Syndrome, Article Review Example

Behavior Problems and Adults with Down Syndrome: Childhood Risk Factors

“Down Syndrome is the most common autosomal abnormality identified to date in humans with an incidence of 1 for every 800 to 1,200 live births”. (Coe, D. Journal of Autism and Development Disorders, 149) Named after John Langdon Down, the British physician, the syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that is caused by the presence of all or a part of the extra 21^st chromosome in the body. Down Syndrome is often connected to the impairment of physical growth, peculiar set of facial characteristics and the cognitive ability.

In his article “Behavior Problems and Adults with Down Syndrome: Childhood Risk Factors” McCarthy is describing that the studies of individuals with the intellectual disabilities suppose that some individual environmental factors as well as characteristics are linked with the behavior disorder. He notes that nowadays there exist only few studies that look into the risk factors within Down syndrome and the connection between behavior disorders and risk markers.

“Longitudinal cohort study of 50 people” that was performed in the UK had its aim to identify if childhood risk factors are the predictors of the several behavior disorders in young individuals with the Down syndrome. (McCarthy, J.  Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 877-882) The risk factors that were found during the study involve childhood psychopathology, functioning and family environment as identified by the measures of the parental mental health, number of marriages and social background. Severe behavioral disorders in grownups are associated with the childhood functioning and psychopathology.

Kids with Down syndrome who have potential risk of severe behavior problems in the adult life, can be identified in their early childhood. Therefore, the appropriate interventions can take place timely in order to reduce the level of the risk.

There are no certain answers to why children are born with the Down syndrome. Therefore, it is quite complicated to predict and determine the risk factors for this disease. However, there are specific things that increase risk and that must be considered before conceiving and during the testing of a pregnant woman. Among risk factors are such things as age of the potential mother, family history of a Down syndrome relative, smoking, etc.

When talking about behavior problems of people with the Down syndrome is it important to understand the development of behavior in young children. Every parent wants their kids to be happy. Therefore, behavior is an important element in how child is perceived in the family, supported or interfered within his or her abilities. During the early childhood these things optimize experience of brain development. Among the factors that have impact on young children’s behavior are health, age, sleep, medications, illnesses, etc.  Environment in which the child is living along with the parent behavior is an important element as well.

All children no matter their disabilities can be classified into two categories: one being “flexible/happy” and another “fearful/difficult”.  When talking about kids with the Down syndrome, it is vital to note that even though majority of them possess a happy and amiable stereotype, they still are capable of having a wide range of temperaments of normal children. This can lead to such disorders as phobias, autism, oppositional disorder, etc.

Usually kids with Down syndrome have such characteristics of behavior as avoidance, limited persistence, increased off task attitude, limited self-regulation, etc.  Avoidance often deals with “charming”, an ability of a child to avoid lessons and experience that help to learn. Through charming a child with Down Syndrome is focusing on social elements without problem solving that might be necessary in the situation. Thus, it causes the lack of learning.

Children with Down syndrome are often visual learners. Therefore, the verbal working memory is much lower developed than in the other kids of the same age. Down syndrome children are highly influenced by the social attention. They need their parental involvement and attention. If such is removed, it can lead to behavior problems in adult life. When behavioral challenges are hindered with the learning skills, the child can get isolated and has a risk of self-injury.

As noted by McCarthy in his article “Behavior Problems and Adults with Down Syndrome: Childhood Risk Factors” there are just few studies today that analyze early childhood factors that can lead to a number of behavior problems in adults that have the disease. I believe the subject must be explored more in-depth.

When a family discovers that their child has Down syndrome, it can cause a wide range of feelings and emotions such as fear, worry, anger and guilt. People do not right away see how to take care of a baby with a disability and they become frightened. However, nowadays there exist various support systems and information centers. It is vital to find professional team of doctors and counselors who will be helping the family make important decisions about education and treatments of a child.

Many communities have support groups for children and their families. Therefore, it is vital to find other people who are dealing with the same problem. Last but important is that the families should never give up on kids with Down syndrome. Yes, it is hard and frightful but these children can make their parents’ live incredible and meaningful. It is vital not to believe various myths and be able to assist further study of the disease.

References

Coe, David. Matson, Johnny. Russell Deirdre. (1999, November 2). Behavior Problems of Children with Down Syndrome and Life Events. Journal of Autism and Development Disorder. Vol. 29. Plenum Publishing Corporation: 149

McCarthy, J. (2008). Behaviour problems and adults with Down syndrome: childhood risk factors” Journal of Intellectual Disability Research: 877-882.