Journal article
Cognitive Profiles and Autism Symptoms in Comorbid Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics, v 41(3), pp 172-179
01 Apr 2020
PMID: 31599791
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objective: The prevalence of comorbid autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children with Down syndrome (DS) is estimated to be around 16%. This study aims to fill gaps in the literature by describing developmental and behavioral phenotypes in this group relative to those with DS or ASD in isolation. Methods: Participants included 173 children (M-age = 73 months) with ASD, DS, or DS + ASD. Two 3 x 2 repeated-measures analyses of variance were completed with between-subject factors of the diagnostic group (DS, ASD, and DS + ASD) and within-subject factors of cognitive performance (verbal and nonverbal developmental quotient [DQ]) or ASD symptoms (social affect [SA] and restricted and repetitive behaviors [RRBs]). Results: Significant group-by-scale interactions were found, and pairwise comparisons revealed that for verbal DQ, DS + ASD < DS, ASD, whereas for nonverbal DQ, DS + ASD < DS < ASD. For SA, DS < DS + ASD < ASD, whereas for RRB, DS, DS + ASD < ASD. Conclusion: Findings suggest greater cognitive impairment in DS + ASD on both verbal and nonverbal measures. Despite these significant cognitive challenges, ASD symptoms appeared less severe in DS + ASD relative to peers with ASD in isolation, although SA symptoms were elevated over DS-only. This unique DS + ASD presentation has important implications for early identification and intervention. Given previous research suggesting relative social strengths in DS and less severe ASD symptoms documented in this study, future research may benefit from investigating different aspects of SA (i.e., components related to reciprocal social interaction vs. social communication) in those with DS + ASD to more clearly delineate the social phenotype in this group and potentially inform intervention efforts.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Cognitive Profiles and Autism Symptoms in Comorbid Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Creators
- Taralee Hamner - Drexel UniversitySusan Hepburn - Colorado State UniversityFengqing Zhang - Drexel UniversityDeborah Fidler - Colorado State UniversityCordelia Robinson Rosenberg - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusDiana L. Robins - Drexel UniversityNancy R. Lee - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics, v 41(3), pp 172-179
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- RTOI2005-1/2-416 / National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; United States Department of Health & Human Services; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA 1447 / Lejune Foundation
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000526690100003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85082780326
- Other Identifier
- 991019168799004721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Behavioral Sciences
- Pediatrics
- Psychology, Developmental