Down syndrome, a genetic disorder causing mental retardation, hearing impairment, heart defects and vision issues, affects more than 350,000 individuals in the United States, says the National Down Syndrome Society. Children with Down Syndrome may suffer from developmental delays including being slow to roll over, sit, stand and talk. The behavior issues facing some children with Down Syndrome create challenges and limit their participation in activities at school and within the community.
Non-compliant Behavior
Children with Down Syndrome are often oppositional and non-compliant. This may be due to communication frustration or misunderstanding. The National Down Syndrome Society suggests that many children diagnosed with Down Syndrome become skilled at distracting teachers and parents when presented with challenging or undesired tasks. For example, a child with Down Syndrome may forcefully insist on going for a walk whenever they need to complete a chore.
Escape-motivated Behavior
When faced with an activity they do not want to participate in, children with Down Syndrome may throw things down, turn away, cover their faces or walk away in an effort to escape. This may occur when confronted with academic, social, family or community events that are new, uncomfortable or challenging.
Obsessive Behavior
Children with Down Syndrome, especially younger children, may become fixated on certain toys or activities. They might demand to sit in the same chair every day or play repeatedly with one toy.
Inappropriately Affectionate Behavior
Individuals with Down Syndrome may greet a store clerk, a delivery person or a server in a restaurant with a hug. While some people with Down Syndrome may be naturally affectionate, Down Syndrome Online suggests that often this overly affectionate nature is improperly permitted and encouraged by parents and teachers.
Impulsive Behaviors
Dashing off to greet someone while in the middle of a doing a class assignment is one example of impulsive behavior that might be demonstrated by an individual with Down Syndrome. Impulsive behaviors include speaking out of turn, interrupting and switching to a new activity without completing the current activity.
Self-stimulatory Behaviors
Odd noises or hand sucking are examples of self-stimulatory behaviors that some children with Down Syndrome might display. These behaviors provide positive sensory feedback or may work as a distraction from unwanted activities. These behaviors interrupt the learning process and may create social isolation.
References
- Down Syndrome Online: Strategies to Address Challenging Behaviour in Young Children with Down Syndrome
- National Down Syndrome Society: Managing Behavior
- University of Virginia Health System: Down Syndrome
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Facts About Down Syndrome
- Position Statement on the Management of Challenging Behaviors
