Down syndrome, a genetic disorder, occurs in 1 in every 733 babies born, according to the National Down Syndrome Society. The disorder affects people of all races and economic levels. In addition to cognitive challenges, people with Down syndrome are at risk for thyroid conditions, congenital heart defects, Alzheimer's disease, respiratory difficulties and hearing problems. Behavior issues in children with Down syndrome often relate to medical problems, developmental delays or communication difficulties.
Setting-event Strategies
Events not directly related to a behavior issue may still cause negative behaviors in children with Down syndrome. Examples include changes in schedule, illness and sleep issues. Setting-event strategies include adjustments to activities in order to reduce negative behaviors caused by the setting event. Modifications include replacing regular activities with less stressful activities and shortening the amount of time dedicated to challenging activities. For example, when a teacher learns that a child with Down syndrome didn't sleep well the previous night, an educational game replaces a scheduled worksheet in order to reduce the potential for non-compliant behavior.
Skill-building Strategies
Children with Down syndrome need to learn new skills to replace negative behaviors. For example, a child who runs off whenever faced with reading a new book needs to learn another way of expressing his anger and anxiety. Skill-building strategies include demonstrating the new skill, providing verbal reminders to use the skill, complimenting the child for implementation of the skill and encouraging frequent, repeated use of the new skill. Skill-building strategies can help children with Down syndrome learn to shake hands instead of hugging strangers, use sign language instead of having a tantrum when they want more food and saying, "I'm mad" instead of sticking out their tongue.
Consequence-based Strategies
Consequence-based strategies provide positive and negative consequences to help children with Down syndrome change negative behaviors. Examples of positive consequence-based strategies include tokens and stickers or playing a favorite game. Negative consequence-based strategies include a restraining touch or a verbal prompt. A child with Down syndrome struggling to stay on task might earn a sticker for every two minutes she stays focused. As the child improves her ability to focus, the time factor for earning a reward is increased. For a child who displays an odd, self-soothing noise, parents and teachers might touch the child on the arm when they notice the noise about to start, followed by a compliment for the child's self-restraint.
References
- Down Syndrome Online: Strategies to Address Challenging Behaviour in Young Children with Down Syndrome
- NICHD; Facts About Down Syndrome
- National Down Syndrome Society: Managing Behaviors
- "Road Map to Holland: How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years With Down Syndrome"; Jennifer Graf Groneberg; 2008
