Autism and Down syndrome experts Mar\u00eda Verde and Sonsoles Perpi\u00f1\u00e1n speak at a Down Conference about the possible co-occurrence of both developmental conditions.<\/p>
In it, Mar\u00eda Verde, psychologist and research technician of Autism Spain, and Sonsoles Perpi\u00f1\u00e1n, Coordinator of the National Early Intervention Network of DOWN SPAIN, intervened to talk about the possible joint appearance of both developmental conditions.<\/p>
Mar\u00eda Verde began the session by explaining what autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is and the prevalence of this condition in our country. \u201cAutism is a neurobiological condition that affects the development and configuration of the nervous system, mainly in two distinct aspects. On the one hand, it affects communication and social interaction skills, and on the other, flexibility of behavior and thought,\u201d she noted.<\/p>
In addition, Verde pointed out that "although autism is more common in men, women can also be born with this condition, and therefore, they will be more vulnerable.".<\/p>
Once the expert reviewed the characteristics of people with ASD, she indicated that the prevalence of co-occurring Down syndrome and autism is around 19-201. \u201cIt is estimated that between 161 and 421 people with Down syndrome have autism, but the figure most commonly used is 19-201. These data vary considerably depending on the studies and diagnostic criteria used to assess autism.\u201d.<\/p>
In addition, Mar\u00eda Verde indicated signs that families of children with Down syndrome should pay attention to in order to identify a possible autism spectrum disorder, such as difficulty maintaining eye contact, using few gestures and words, or excessive attention to certain objects or activities, etc.<\/p>
Once a family identifies some behavioral signs, the child should be professionally evaluated to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of autism with personal interviews, questionnaires, biomedical or neuroimaging tests.<\/p>
\u201cWhen a family of a child with Down syndrome receives a second diagnosis indicating that they also have autism, we professionals must take into account the history of that family: how they received the news of Down syndrome, their relationship with early intervention\u2026 These families have strengths: they are resilient families who tolerate adversity, they already have a support network and a broad knowledge of their child\u2019s development.\u201d.<\/p>
According to Perpi\u00f1\u00e1n, from that moment of diagnosis it is essential to "consider the needs of each family, offer them accompaniment and emotional support, eliminate feelings of guilt that are often present, reduce their uncertainty and above all, show the child beyond autism or Down syndrome.".<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
La expertas en Autismo y s\u00edndrome de Down, Mar\u00eda Verde y Sonsoles Perpi\u00f1\u00e1n, intervienen en una Conferencia Down para hablar sobre la posible aparici\u00f3n conjunta de ambas condiciones del desarrollo. En ella, Mar\u00eda Verde, psic\u00f3loga y t\u00e9cnica de investigaci\u00f3n de Autismo Espa\u00f1a, y Sonsoles Perpi\u00f1\u00e1n, Coordinadora de la Red Nacional de Atenci\u00f3n Temprana de DOWN […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t