Is it possible my downs syndrome daughter has autsim

[danielle82]

My daughter has Downs Syndrome and is 11 years old,  for a few years now my daughter has shown some very typical signs of Autism. She has a socail problem doesnt like being involevd i many activites, she ofton covers her ears when there is loud shouting or music, she also blocks people and wont interact unless she nos the people really well. She also over the last few months as stated waving her arms about with a sock in her hand, she carrys this everywere with. She also sits with her fingers in her mouth making loud moaning noises. She is currantly on no meds for this apart from Melatonin which helps with her asleep as she is very inscure at nights and most ofton sleeps in my bed with me as she will not stay for long in her own room. She as very little eye contact when she dosnt want to communicate with people. If anyone can offer any help or advice before i discuss this with her consulatant.

[Sally44]

I agree with mum2beagain that professionals seem to be interested in getting the first diagnosis, and then seem reluctant to search any further.  So stick to your guns.  I also agree that a good Speech and Language Therapist can usually give you a good idea if an autistic spectrum disorder is a possibility.  I saw the SLT within 4 months and she told me it was a spectrum disorder and not Aspergers.  It took the other professionals nearly 18 months of observations to come to the same conclusion.  But I do understand that it takes that long for observations to be carried out.  So go to SLT first.  It also sounds like there are sensory issues (which can be a diagnosis in its own right, or can accompany a spectrum disorder).  OTs help with sensory issues.

[mjthewriterdad]

It's not uncommon.  A good example is when a mother contracts Rubella in her gestation period. These children tend exhibit signs and symptoms of multiple disorders.  

[mum2beagain]

My son has hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy, both diagnosed a long time ago. For a long time many of his "traits" were explained away by various professionals as problems relate to his other conditions. It was infact his speech therapist refusing to accept these explainations who got us the referal for autism testing and he was diagnosed in February. Now we are getting help targeted specifically to the problems associated with his autism and not just having them pushed to one side as "just another symptom" of one of his other issues we are seeing real improvements in him. I would certainly ask for a referal for your daughter, multiple diagnosis are most certainly possible. Good luck.

[Sally44]

Hi Danielle,
It is possible for children to have more than one diagnosis.  Or sometimes some children have traits of different diagnosis, but not enough of any of them to fit the clinical criteria for a diagnosis.
My understanding (from talking with professionals) is that if you have a condition (or a condition within the family) it can make you and offspring more susceptible to other conditions.  That is why you can sometimes find that some diagnosis cluster together.  So within one family (or person) you may have a diagnosis of autism/learning disability/ADHD/OCD/eating disorder/ dyspraxia/dyslexia/bi-polar etc etc.  
As your child has a diagnosis of Downs Syndrome, have you bought up your concerns with the professionals involved that you think that there maybe signs of autism as well?
It maybe that it is just some autistic traits, but I think to put your mind at rest, and also so that any supports for your daughter are appropriate to the difficulties she has, that it would be best for her to be evaluated.