Does anyone have any good information on Autism/Down Syndrome? Looking at Autism traits, Darah only has the stimming and sensory issues. (She makes eye contact, holds gazes with people, is very engaged socially, ect...) Is there a "list" designed especially for kids with Ds of what Autism signs to look for, or is it the same guidelines as plain ole' autism?

I've brought up my concerns with Darah's therapists and they all said that just like you wouldn't say all kids with low tone have Down syndrome, all kids with sensory issues don't have Autism....but I have that nagging lump in my throat....KWIM?

Ohhhh this was discussed A LOT in Dr. Kapone's behavioral workshop, which of course, I attended! There is a list....I'll go find it.

Ok, I can't find the whole handout. I'm going to email him and see if he'll send it to me. (cuz yes, I managed to get his email!)

But the list is slightly different that kids with 46 chromosomes and Autism.

There is also "late onset Autism" That doesn't show up till around 4 or so, with regression.

Well.. I have no computer and am at my mom's but saw your post. From what you have said before about your daughter... and if she is engaging with you, ect... I'd put my money on her NOT having autism. Here are a few links though.. for you...

http://www.altonweb.com/cs/downsyndrome/index.htm?page=autism.html

http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/news.htm
(Scroll down to Vol 3, #'s 5&6)

And here is just the straight Autism Criteria... that they use in the medical community... http://www.autism-pdd.net/DSM4.html


the only reason I wanted to go to Atlanta was to see Dr. Capone. And yes, he would be a good doc that knows how DS and autism intertwines together. For us, we used JUST the Autism criteria for russell and he was DX'd. It's pretty obvious to us... beyond the stimming and sensory issues.

And again... I always like to make clear as we all well know... kids with JUST DS can have some sensory and stimming issues and NOT have Autism or be on the spectrum at all. AND... getting a child to not stim or addressing sensory issues can be the same method whether they have autism or not. And you don't have to have a dual DX to have a child w/issues that get in the way of learning.. the key is ot identify the issues and work on them

good luck!!!!

A.