Is there anyone out there with a child with downsyndrome and autism?

Amanda - posted on 06/22/2011

My son acts the same way. He's 3 and has DS. His speech therapyst and I have talked about him having ADHD. You may want to ask about that as well.

Stephanie - posted on 06/22/2011

I have a daughter with Down syndrome, she does not have autism, and she is going to be 5 next month. She likes to line her dolls and stuff animals up too. Does your daughter go to school? My daughter lines her dolls up and then sings them songs-kind of like a circle time that they have at school. We go out to eat, but I have noticed that if we got to a restaurant that Alyx is not used to, then she is more aggitated by it. She also gets upset if we sit in chairs instead of a booth at a restaurant. At home she sits at the table in a booster seat. So I am still not sure why at a restaurant the chairs make that much of a difference. Alyx also does not listen well. But I have noticed if I kneel down to her level and take her little face in my hands and talk to her, she does listen better. This also helps when I am giving her directions to do something. I have also noticed if I am at the end of my rope and I sign and talk to her she listens a whole lot better. My daughter LOVES to tease, she definitely has a sense of humor! And sometimes that makes it hard for us to get her to buckle down and do what we want her to do!

Angela - posted on 06/22/2011

I don't have a DS child, but I thought I'd offer suggestions for going to a restaurant. Instead of a fancy place, find places that welcome children (not necessarily McD's). At those places, Natalie will be able to be noisy, not sit down or whatever she does and it's accepted. Those are also good places for her to 'learn' how to behave better. Such as when you're home afterwards, remind her how much fun it was to be able to do what she did at the restaurant, but we can't do it at home or if you decide to go to somebody else's house. My son is labeled as MR, (I'm taking him in late fall to have everything checked again) and he sucks at listening - we have to get his attention first. He likes his routines as well - gets VERY upset if we take a different route to church or even a different route home if he recognizes that it's changed. Good luck Tina!

Tina - posted on 06/21/2011

Thank you all! Today the school called and said Natalie learned a new trick! She knows how to undo the straps to the maclaren stroller and it is a danger because she runs so fast!! So no sign of slowing down. It is nice to know I am not alone, I wish you all and our children the best!! I am going to try a natural path first because my friend had success with her daughter and her behavioral issues. We lost our daughter who had Edward Syndrome last month and my father too, they died 2 and a half weeks apart. So I know Natalie has a lot to deal with and there is a big hole in this house! Natalie had her counts(bloodwork) checked yesterday, she has been off treatment for 2 and 1/2 years. She had AML Leukemia. It took 4 of us to get it done, 3 holding her down, I can see why she hates being forced to do anything, like brushing her hair, cleaning her eyes and nose, etc. because she went though 6 mths of chemo and lots of holding her down:( One thing our Precious Alisha has taught us is to take it one day at a time, sometimes when I feel overwhelmed I remind myself that and it helps. God has blessed us by giving us these children I would never have the compassion I do for others now if it wasn't for them! Sonja I am going to look into ABA playful learning, Good luck with getting your son tested Lauren, thanks Deborah for the group info!, and Alison I hope your son starts to sleep, our other daughter had sleeping issues for all of her 11 years on earth, I would take the sleepless nights back if we could have her back!! But I do have to say that is one of the most difficult things to go through, I am no good if I don't get sleep! All the best ladies!!

Sonja - posted on 06/21/2011

no sleep is tough. My ASD son went through that. Our doctor told us to get some melatonin. I was scared, so I waited two years to get it. She told me over and over again to get it--I finally did out of desperation. It was a wonderful night of sleep that night--you might ask your pediatrician what s/he thinks about it. (We use 1 mg sublingual.)

Here's hoping you get some sleep in your house soon!

Alison - posted on 06/21/2011

Hi my son Bobby will be 6 on july 1st, he is down syndrome, the doctor suspects he could have autism. He has routines day and night. also he doesnt sleep!!!!

Deborah - posted on 06/21/2011

Autism is more common in kids with Down syndrome and frankly I think it is underdiagnosed in the DS population. Coming up with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis is usually just a matter of adding up enough characteristics to decide, yeah this tips the balance. There doesn't seem to be an absolute determination at first. Our son has ASD and DS and it is tough! There is a Yahoo Group devoted to the topic: ds-autism@yahoogroups.com Good luck!

Lauren - posted on 06/20/2011

my son is 4 and has down syndrome. ive never been concerned that maybe he has autism but he does pretty much everything u jus listed ur daughter does. he is in school and has speech and ot. he no longer needs pt. he shows no interest in potty training. will take his diaper off and let me kno wen he has gone but has nothing to do with the potty. or lets me kno wen he has to go. hes always been very over active. and has severe behavior issues. i want to have him tested for adhd but they say he is too young.

Tina - posted on 06/19/2011

Thanks Sonja I am going to get some help!

Sonja - posted on 06/19/2011

Hi, Tina. I don't have any kids with Downs, but it does sound like classic autism symptoms--wehave that in spades here.

I would get her in to a developmental specialist asap. And start some ABA playful learning at home on your own, too--it works for all kiddos. The good news is that it does get easier. We go out all the time--just pick off-peak times at first to minimize noise,waiting, and other potential frustrations--and take a couple of quiet familiar (and favorite) toys to occupy her. And talk about whatto expect--we haveplayed going out to whatever locale before going, and that seems to help, too. But up-front preparation makes a big difference. Good luck.