Introduction: Narratives are enriched by taking the perspective of the protagonists, which can be expressed using reported speech. Nevertheless, the use of reported speech is unaddressed internationally among individuals with Down syndrome. Method: Narratives of 28 children and adolescents with Down syndrome were collected using a non-verbal…

Sleep problems are common in children and adolescents, particularly those with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. With the changes in daily habits resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have analyzed sleep characteristics, during social isolation, in Brazilian children and adolescents aged between 4 and 12 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder (N =…

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origin with a cognitive-behavioural profile that distinguishes it from other syndromes. Within this profile, language difficulties are particularly marked, having been more studied in childhood than in adulthood. More generally, there is a paucity of research on the…

Background: Parents' conceptualizations of adulthood for their emerging adults with Down syndrome have the potential to impact the transition planning process as families prepare for life after graduation. Aims: This study aimed to explore parent perceptions of the meaning of adulthood for their emerging adults with Down syndrome. Methods: In this…

Given inconsistent findings in the literature as to the effects of interventions on motor skills in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), the purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of interventions on motor skills in individuals with DS by using meta-analysis procedures. A systematic database and manual search identified 15 studies…

Introduction: The VO[subscript 2] max test is the gold standard measure for aerobic fitness. A standardised treadmill protocol was developed years ago for individuals with Down syndrome but with variations in terms of starting speed, load increases and time spent at each stage. However, we realised that the most widely used protocol for adults…

Background: Rates of death and avoidable deaths are reportedly higher among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study contributes to our understanding of how mortality and intellectual and development disabilities are associated. Method: General population and intellectual and developmental disabilities adult cohorts were…

Background: Previous literature suggests that children with Down syndrome (DS) have difficulties in cognitive and affective components of Theory of Mind (ToM). However, the nature of the distinction between cognitive and affective ToM has not yet been addressed in depth in this population. Aims: This work is aimed at studying the cognitive and…

Background: Sedentary behaviour (SB) among adults with Down syndrome (DS) may differ based on personal or environmental factors. Objective: Investigate differences in SB levels and patterns of adults with DS based on sex, age, and residence-type across weekdays and weekends. Methods: Thirty-four adults with DS (15 men; 37 ± 12 years) underwent…

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome are an at-risk population for severe COVID-19 outcomes, due to genetic predispositions and comorbidities. The current study focused on differences between persons with and without Down syndrome regarding age and severity of disease. Method: We used medical statistics to compare patients with and without…

Background: Evidence shows that neurotypical individuals who stutter use fewer gestures than those who do not stutter. Presently, no research exists about the interaction of stuttering and gestures in individuals with Down syndrome. Method: Twenty-nine individuals with Down syndrome (7-19 years) of whom 16 stuttered and 13 spoke fluently and 20…

Background: Chewing difficulty, poor oral health, inadequate and imbalanced nutrition are serious health problems in individuals with intellectual disabilities. The participants' chewing abilities, oral health and nutritional status were analysed in this study. Methods: Forty-five adult participants with intellectual disabilities were included.…

Background: People with Down syndrome often present with balance deficits, which compromise safety during daily activity. While evidence shows that exercise can improve balance in the Down syndrome population, it is unclear if a telehealth method will elicit similar benefits. We aimed to examine the effects of a virtual exercise program on balance…

Objectives: Characterise the circumstances associated with death during admission of adults with Down syndrome (DS) and to identify predictors of mortality. Patients and Methods: Observational study based on data on all emergent admissions of adults with DS to hospitals of the Spanish National Health System between 1997 and 2014. We analysed…

Literacy skills can assist in the navigation and enjoyment of adult life. For individuals who have reached adulthood without strong literacy skills, opportunities for continued literacy learning are few. Redesigning AAC technologies to support literacy skill development could extend literacy learning opportunities for adults with developmental…