We have a 25 year old son, David. In the past year he has become violent, he has hit his mother 4 times and his step mother once recently. He usually hits with the back of his hand against the person sitting beside him without provocation,he seems to always hit to the face. David has never been violent. He has been raised in a loving non-violent family. This behaviour has been devastating to our family. We don't know what to do.
I understand that almost all DS people get Alzheimers Disease and that violence in part of symptoms but DS people are not supposed to get AD until after the age of 35, and David soes not seem to eexibit any other symptoms.
We nee help.

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I have a 25 year old Downs Syndrom son who has become violent. He has hist his mother 4 times in the past few monthhs without provocation.

Hi and welcome to the boards.

I wish I had some advice for you, but I don't. I can pray for your family and David that you get some answers to his behavior.

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~Christine~
Mom of 6
Brandon ADD/ADHD 17, Chelsea 14, Connor 12, Logan 6, Cody 4 & Austin 1 ( DS & Hirschsprungs )
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/austinpaquin

The only advice I have is you might want to write Dr. Phil Mattheis at Cincinnati Children's Hospital - he's a behavior specialist in Down syndrome...

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/alpha/d/disabilities/fs/peds/philip-mattheis.htm

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Have you spoken to any doctors about this? That is the first thing I'd do. Often, my answer to sudden behavior changes would be about hormones or frustration/lack of communication and any changes in routine. But with what you're describing, I am thinking medical. I'd start with family doctor and talk to them, but I would want to get into a neurologist right away. I'd want to rule out dementia/alzheimers. And I'd want to rule out seizures. Sorry I don't have better advice. But I'd definitely start with medical checks right away.

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--Beth
Mom to Oliver, 5 (DS, ADHD)
and Sebastian, 4

Hi Davids Dad

Its nice to meet you.......Welcome to downsyn!

Quote:

I understand that almost all DS people get Alzheimers Disease and that violence in part of symptoms but DS people are not supposed to get AD until after the age of 35, and David soes not seem to eexibit any other symptoms.

I say to you with respect that there are far too many assumption in the above.
Its possible to get AD at a younger age and its possible to have DS and not get AD.

If I were in your shoes....I'd get some professional help for David.
Start by ruling out any medical reason for the outburst....and if that proves to be fine you need the help of a behavior specialist or a trained counselor to try to understand the 'why' of this behavior.

I'm sorry I can't be more specific.....living in Ireland the medical system is different from that in USA/ Canada.
Best of luck!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 10 ), Robert (Aged 5 - DS)


First day at school

How is his communication....... I know both of my 9 yo boys do this Devon hits me in the face and Colin just "whaps" care giver or Devon who ever is closer at that moment that he wants to be communicated with!

.....both boys have different types of communication problems and the little one with autism too does this alot but now usually hits him self if he is not medicated.

I would start with a full physical and blood work and ask for a referal to a dr to help with this...... (easier said than done)

And yes many adult with ds do develop alzheimers and similiar isues...... some earlier some later and many never...... and this should be evaluated but starting with a full look at everything would be my start......

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Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03)
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie


wife to the best & greatest guy Eric




http://princessgrumpy.blogspot.com/
read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

http://thegrumpyfamily.blogspot.com/
the family blog of our unique & special family

I would rule out a physical problem before assuming AD. Seizures is definitely a possibility. Does he communicate well? Could it be pain of some sort?

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Tom

Dad to Beth (17) and Mikey (13 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
My Blog - Random Thinking
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Twitter as tgpaul

Where does your 25 year old spend the day. Is he always with a member of the family? I'm going to suggest you check out his daily activities closely. Could be he's imitating what's happening to him or what he sees happening to others. Does he talk?

Could it be tv programs he is watching? Are they violent. i know Austin acts out what he sees in real life and on the tv and movies.

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Keep the Faith, Amy
Mom to Kristin (25) Jessica (23) Rebecca (19) Rachel (14) Sarah (13) Hunter (10) & Austin (5) DS

Thank you all for all your words and thoughts. It is very comforting for me and my family to know that there are people in this world that care about others and have positve input at a time when we do not know what to do.
We will take all of your advice and act on it and hopefuly there will be a solution or at least some understanding of our problem.
David is almost deaf and has limited speach.
I consider David high funtioning, he can shower and shave, he can print a few words including his name, he goes bowling and other activities with his adult day care, he makes toast, he can set the dinner table, he has learned to ride an ATV Quad and even shift gears. He know his way around town, when he is riding in the vehicle and you take a different route he knows you have gone a different way.
David can do all these things but has never learned sigh language. I am wondering if this may be a sourse of frustration for him and maybe has ssometing to do with his violent outburst??
Thank you all agian

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I have a 25 year old Downs Syndrom son who has become violent. He has hist his mother 4 times in the past few monthhs without provocation.

Thanks for letting us know about David's life ......sounds like its good!

I have learned over the six years with my son to trust my instincts.
If you think this is related to communication or lack of it then your probably right.

Even with sign and some language my son Robert has outbursts of frustration. He throws himself on the ground or on the couch in complete frustration and he just bursts into tears!
Its very challenging for us cos often we don't know what is wrong. Its a working in progress to get him to use sign or language to tell us what is wrong.

I hope you get some help from the professional.

Keep us posted if you can!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 10 ), Robert (Aged 5 - DS)


First day at school

No real input as our son is only 2, but just wanted to say welcome and I'm glad you found this site. Input we've gotten here has helped us a lot, and I hope it can for you too. If you click on the Search button at the top, you can also search through old posts, which I've found quite helpful sometimes too.

Please do let us know what you find out and how David does.

Jan

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wife and mother of Katherine (2004) and Christopher (Aug. 2007, DS)

Has he had his thyroid function checked recently? He may not being feeling well...thus irritable???? Has he had any sensory issues through the years? Nate has the "fight or flight" response when brushed against by another person or object. Same response with his oral defensiveness upper lip and and brushing his upper teeth.

Can he commuciate to you how he feels?

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Sherry
Evan 10, Olivia 8, and Nate 5*

Hosted on Fotki

Gosh, that sounds like a legitimate medical/mental health concern. I would talk to his doctor as a first step to see if he is in pain somehow, or as Tom suggested, having seizures, or otherwise.

Also, I highly recommend the Signing Time series of sign language videos. They are entertaining--even for adults--and have taught both of my children a great deal of sign language, which has been very helpful for my son with DS. I don't know if your son might think they are too juvenile. You might see if you can netflix one, or check it out at the library to see if he would be into it. I think even a person with limited hearing would be able to pick up the meaning of the signs and learn what they mean.

Anyway, welcome, and good luck finding out how to help your son.

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Kim. Wife to Ray, Mommy to Charlie (DS) 1/2006 & Calvin 3/2008
http://charlies47.blogspot.com/

There is more than one way to have a good life!