Background: Feeding difficulties, including aspiration risk, are common in children with Down syndrome. Identifying factors affecting feeding modality is crucial. Method: This cross-sectional study included 335 children with Down syndrome (aged 4-12 years; mean 5.2). Feeding was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Screening…

Inhibition and Working Memory (WM) are crucial predictors of everyday life autonomies in people with Down Syndrome (DS). We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between different levels of autonomy, inhibitory sub-components and WM in people with DS. Twenty-two adolescents and adults with DS were enrolled in the study and were assessed…

Background: Existing literature failed to explore the parental expectations and experiences from physiotherapy for children with Down syndrome. Hence, we aimed to validate a semi-structured interview guide to explore parental experiences and expectations from physiotherapy for children with Down syndrome. Methods: A 28-item interview guide was…

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…

Background: At least half of children and adults with Down syndrome have a major mental health concern during their life but few studies ask people with Down syndrome directly about their experience. We used a co-research model to explore anxiety, stress, and coping in adults with Down syndrome. Methods: Our group of researchers and adults with…

Background: Most adults with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology in their 30s, yet research into cognitive health programmes for this group remains limited. Method: A mixed-methods feasibility randomised control trial (RCT) evaluated an adapted, manualised group-based cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) programme for adults…

Background: Adults with Down syndrome have demonstrated lower rates of community participation, which is known to reflect a poorer quality of life. This cross-sectional study used survey data completed by 27 care partners of adults with Down syndrome to understand if lower community participation was associated with a recent decreased independence…

Purpose: Children with Down syndrome often have poor speech intelligibility, which can mask expressive language competence; this, in turn, can lead to serious misconceptions about overall competence and intellectual abilities. Although aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can be used to bridge these gaps, children with Down…

Background: Family caregivers of adults with Down syndrome often provide life-long caregiving support for their loved one. Long-term caregiving can impact caregivers' health and well-being, yet their experiences and support needs are underexplored. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers of adults with Down syndrome to…

Short-term memory (STM) challenges are often observed in children with Down syndrome (DS), but existing early STM measures introduce measurement confounds in this population. To address the need for valid early STM measures for future DS interventions, this study evaluated the psychometric properties of a modified Corsi Span task, administered to…

Background: Online exercise interventions can improve access to tailored programmes for individuals with intellectual disabilities (including Down syndrome). This paper aimed to describe best practices and provide recommendations for online physical activity or exercise programmes for this population. Method: Two research teams with extensive…

Background: Online exercise programming reduces transportation and scheduling barriers. This study explored the feasibility of online resistance training for individuals with Down syndrome. Method: Thirteen individuals (3 M/10 F, age: 21.7 ± 5.9 years) began a 10-week programme delivered using a website with pre-recorded exercise videos (45--60…

Purpose: Adolescents and adults with Down syndrome are noted to display symptoms and behaviors consistent with a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. While evidenced-based interventions, including psychopharmacology and therapeutic interventions including exposure and response prevention, exist and effectively treat obsessive-compulsive…

Background: Visual impairment (VI) is common among people with intellectual disabilities, with rates up to 19%. This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors for ocular disorders in 341 institutionalised adults with intellectual disabilities in Taipei City from January 2016 to December 2017. Method: The cross-sectional survey included visual…

Introduction: The Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS), a mental health screening tool developed for individuals with intellectual disabilities, has yet to be evaluated in adults with Down syndrome. We included the ADAMS in a Dementia Protocol. Method: We reviewed the charts of 71 adults with Down syndrome seen in a specialty clinic and…