Severe auto-aggressive crises in a formerly psychotic young man with Down's syndrome

Discusses a case of an 18-yr-old formerly autistic, mentally retarded Italian male who suffers from periodic episodes of extremely self-destructive behavior. The characteristics of his attacks are described. The attacks were initially brought under control with a combination of promazine and prometazine. Recurrence has been prevented with a combination of psychotropic medications including 1-glutamine.

Depression in Down's syndrome subjects: Clinical and epidemiological investigation of 510 cases

Studied the characteristics associated with depression in Down's syndrome individuals and determined the gender, chromosomatic diagnosis, age at time of onset of depression, symptoms, and treatment of a sample of 45 depressed Down's syndrome patients (aged 5-39 yrs). Using a consecutive, nonselective sample of 510 Down's syndrome patients who visited 1 physician, all of those who received antidepressant medication and were not autistic were identified. The files of these Ss were evaluated for the relevant data.

Scouting and social insertion of the Down's syndrome child

Discusses the effects of boy scout membership on a mentally retarded 8-yr-old Italian boy. His experiences as a boy scout helped to make him more independent and improved his social skills. The boy scout leaders had received no special training for dealing with Down's syndrome children. Instead, they simply applied the standard scouting method. The success of the method was based on its approach of learning through experience, observing rules, and assuming responsibility.

An epidemiological study for psychiatric disorders in adults with Down's syndrome

Presented an epidemiological study for psychiatric disorders in 16 male and 24 female Ss with Down's syndrome (aged 16-47 yrs). 30 were moderately, 9 severely, and 1 profoundly mentally handicapped. The assessment, conducted by 1 of 2 psychiatrists, included a semistructured interview with the parent/guardian or staff member as informant; an observation period and clinical interview; and case notes. 14 had a current psychiatric diagnosis. Six were diagnosed with personality disorder, and 4 of these diagnoses occurred in male Ss.

Food habits in Down of 10 years or more

The records of 101 Down subjects out of a not selected consecutive series of 518 (36 F + 75 M; age: range: 10-43, average: 13.68 years+ 5.16; chromosomal anomalies: Unknown = 6.73%, pure trisomy 21 = 83.17 %, mosaicisms = 6.93%, translocations = 2.97%) were reexamined for food habits.
Liking for sweets, meat or cube broth, milk and derivatives, bread and pasta, meat, fish, cooked vegetables, raw vegetables and fruit were collected and scored according to 3-7 points scales.
The results show that most Downs, since their 10-12 years appreciate milk and derivatives, bread and pasta, meat and cooked vegetables. From 10 years Downs increase their taste for fish and about 70% of them like it since their 13-15 years. The taste for raw vegetables seems well established in about 47% of 10-12 years old Down and it goes further until adult age. Most Downs normally eat fruit, since they are 16-18. In this study 12 subjects aged 16 or more out of 21 (57.14%) refused or had scarce preference for sweet things. About 65% of these Downs have a liking for meat broth or cube broth and most of them since their 10-12 years.
Food habits in Down could inform on diet and brain neurotransmitters that have their precursors in foods.

Study on bike riding in Downs aged 10 or more

Investigated 101 individuals with Down's syndrome (mean age 13.68 yrs) to study bike riding with or without support wheels. About 54% of the sample did not ride a bike. Among bike riders, about 40% did not leave the support wheels. Biking seems to be a difficult task for individuals with Down's syndrome, and it appears that their psychomotor development does not fully account for this difficulty.

Employment difficulties for mentally handicapped subjects

Describes a pilot job training program for mentally handicapped persons. The program focuses on social, professional, and economic integration of mentally handicapped persons and provides training and support in cognitive areas (reading, writing, mathematics, and problem-solving); sociocultural areas (time management and grooming); communication and relationships (verbal and nonverbal communication, emotional reactivity, and problem behavior); and motor and perception skills (visual discrimination and motor coordination). Results of a pilot project involving 5 adults with Down's Syndrome and 4 with slight mental retardation are described.

Assembly line work for mentally retarded adults: Relational, manual, and organizational effects

Studied the educational and behavioral effects of assembly line work among mentally retarded adults. Ss were 9 adults (aged 22-43 yrs) with mild to moderate mental retardation. Ss suffered from Down's Syndrome, cranial trauma and posttraumatic disorder, oligophrenia, epilepsy, or Moon-Biedel Syndrome. Ss worked as a team on an assembly line for 9 mo; each S learned and performed all parts of the assembly. The results were evaluated according to changes in social skills, rivalry drives, aggressive behavior, team spirit, integration of team members, self-organization of work stages, manual skills, and self-esteem.