Although there is a great deal of attention being directed at autism, mostly through the efforts of the growing numbers of families affected by this diagnosis, there is little mention about the growing number of children with a dual diagnosis in families whose children were born with Down syndrome.

If you are the mom of a beautiful child with Down syndrome who does not seem to be developing like other children with DS that you have met, who stops developing in what you expected to be a natural progression, or whose development turns around or changes in an alarming way, you may be wondering if he or she is facing another challenge besides Down syndrome.

Resources and support are available for families whose children with Down syndrome do have an autistic spectrum disorder in addition to garden variety DS. Concerned medical professionals and parents just like you have developed these resources and are available to answer some of your questions and share your concerns. I will list a few of these below.

Although no one wants to hear that their loved one faces greater challenges, it is important that a child with a dual diagnosis has the greatest opportunity for accommodations and support, and that families learn how to best support and encourage their children as they grow.

Know that you are not alone, as you will discover when you investigate the resources below that include Disability Solutions newsletter, the Kennedy Kreiger Institute, and other online support and information sites.

Families raising children with the dual diagnosis, or who suspect their son or daughter with Down syndrome might have an autism spectrum disorder, are invited to participate in an online discussion group for sharing information and support.

ds-autism listserv
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ds-autism
The list is the inaugural service of The Down Syndrome & Autism Internet Information Center. For more information about the Center, visit:

The Down Syndrome & Autism Internet Information Center
http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/dsaiic/index.htm

Disability Solutions
http://www.disabilitysolutions.org
Articles in volume three, issues five and six, of the Down Syndrome newsletter Disability Solutions include the moving and informative, "More Than Down Syndrome: A Parent's View" by editor Joan E Guthrie Medlen; "Dual Diagnosis: The Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment" by Bonnie Patterson, M.D.; "Sensory Integration: Clinic Observations of Children with Down Syndrome & Autistic Spectrum Disorder" by Mary Lashno, OTR; "Changing Behaviors and Teaching New Skills" by Naomi Swiezy, Ph. D.; "Language and Communication: The Key is Effectiveness" by Julie Bierman Gee, M.S., CC-SLP; "Down Syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Look at What We Know" by the director of the DS Clinic at Baltimore's Kennedy Krieger Institute George T Capone, M.D.; "Gross Motor Development in Children With Down Syndrome & Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Clinic Observations" by Patricia C. Winders, PT.
http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/dsaiic/articles.htm

Down Syndrome & Autistic Spectrum Disorder - PDF
Disability Solutions, Volume 3, Issues 5 & 6
http://www.disabilitysolutions/newsletters/file/three/3-5.6.pdf

One of these excellent articles is also available at the Kennedy Krieger Institute web site:
Dual Diagnoses: the Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment by Bonnie Patterson, M.D
http://www.kennedykrieger.org

Creating support for families of children with Down syndrome with a co-diagnosis: A survey - PDF
http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/dsaiic/articles.htm
by Joan Guthrie Medlen

Strategic Needs Assessment - Research and Support Directions: A Survey of Families of Children with Down Syndrome and a Co-diagnosis (pdf)
http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/dsaiic/articles.htm

Behavioral symptoms, social and communication anomalies, a checklist of behaviors that are not normally seen in children with DS without autism, issues in diagnosis, and references can be found in a 1998 article by Glenn Vatter "Diagnosis of Autism in Children With Down Syndrome" on the Riverbend DS Group website at http://www.altonweb.com/cs/downsyndrome/autism.html

Warning: In November 2007 an alert was sent out warning parents whose children use weighted blankets or vests to have them tested for possible lead contamination.

Related Information at BellaOnline.com - Special Needs Children:

Recognizing Early Signs of Autism
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55223.asp

Selective Mutism and Shyness
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55943.asp

Early Diagnosis of Autism in Infants and Toddlers
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52980.asp

Encouraging Late Talking Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55867.asp

Floortime and DIR Model Techniques
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56206.asp

Autism Spectrum Disorders - Special Needs Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3137.asp

Autism, Nutrition and Special Diets
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49724.asp

How Uncomfortable is Your Child?
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art960.asp

What is it like when your child is diagnosed - does a mother's 'citizenship' shift again?
New Mother - Newly Diagnosed Child
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33557.asp

Browse at local bookstores, public libraries and online retailers for books on autism like
Engaging Autism - Helping Children Relate, Communicate and Think or, Acting Early Against Autism - Give Your Child a Fighting Chance From the Start by Jayne Lytel

My Son Was Autistic. Is He Still? by Jayne Lytel - Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/14/AR2008111403006.html?hpid=smartliving