Co-occurring Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cognitive, Adaptive, and Behavioral Characteristics

Abstract

The current study explores functioning in individuals with co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome (ASD+DS; n = 23), individuals with ASD and cognitive impairment (ASD+ID; n = 99) and individuals with idiopathic ID (n = 38). ANCOVA results revealed that individuals with ASD+DS showed strengths in behavioral functioning compared to individuals with ID and more similar behavioral functioning to those with ASD+ID (η² = 0.12), with the exception of disruptive behaviors. Cognitive functioning (ɸ_c = 0.41) and ASD symptomatology (η² = 0.11) were more comparable for children with ASD+DS and ASD + ID than for individuals with ID. Individuals with ASD+DS had the lowest overall adaptive skills (η² = 0.11). Findings highlight similarities between ASD+DS and ASD+ID groups, emphasizing the importance of ASD identification within the DS population to provide access to specific interventions.

Keywords: Adaptive functioning; Autism spectrum disorder; Cognitive functioning; Down syndrome; Dual diagnosis; Emotional and behavioral functioning.