S J Loveall1,2,3, F A Conners2, A S Tungate2, L J Hahn3,4, T D Osso1. 1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA. 3. Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA. 4. Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous research has indicated a unique profile of executive function (EF) in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). However, there is a paucity of research on EF in adults with DS. This study aimed to gain a broader understanding of strengths and weaknesses in EF in DS from 2 to 35 years. METHOD: Parents of 112 individuals with DS between 2 and 35 years participated in this study. Parents either completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function - for individuals 6+ years - or the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function Preschool Version - for children 2-5 years. RESULTS: Results suggest not only overall difficulties but also patterns of strength and weakness within EF for individuals with DS. For the 2 to 5-year-old group, emotional control and shift were relative strengths, planning/organisation and inhibit were intermediate skills, and working memory was a relative weakness. For the 6 to 18-year-old group, emotional control and organisation of materials were relative strengths, inhibit and initiate were intermediate skills, and working memory, monitor, planning/organisation, and shift were relative weaknesses. Most abilities were consistent from 2 to 18 years, except shift, which decreased in preadolescence before beginning to recover in adolescence. Across the full age range (2-35 years), composite scores indicated quadratic trends in inhibit, working memory, and planning/organisation, and a cubic trend in shift, with EF abilities generally declining in middle childhood before recovering in adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: This study extends previous research on EF in DS by providing an initial description of EF profiles across the lifespan. More longitudinal and behavioural research is needed to further characterise the development of EF in DS.
BACKGROUND: Previous research has indicated a unique profile of executive function (EF) in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). However, there is a paucity of research on EF in adults with DS. This study aimed to gain a broader understanding of strengths and weaknesses in EF in DS from 2 to 35 years. METHOD: Parents of 112 individuals with DS between 2 and 35 years participated in this study. Parents either completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function - for individuals 6+ years - or the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function Preschool Version - for children 2-5 years. RESULTS: Results suggest not only overall difficulties but also patterns of strength and weakness within EF for individuals with DS. For the 2 to 5-year-old group, emotional control and shift were relative strengths, planning/organisation and inhibit were intermediate skills, and working memory was a relative weakness. For the 6 to 18-year-old group, emotional control and organisation of materials were relative strengths, inhibit and initiate were intermediate skills, and working memory, monitor, planning/organisation, and shift were relative weaknesses. Most abilities were consistent from 2 to 18 years, except shift, which decreased in preadolescence before beginning to recover in adolescence. Across the full age range (2-35 years), composite scores indicated quadratic trends in inhibit, working memory, and planning/organisation, and a cubic trend in shift, with EF abilities generally declining in middle childhood before recovering in adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: This study extends previous research on EF in DS by providing an initial description of EF profiles across the lifespan. More longitudinal and behavioural research is needed to further characterise the development of EF in DS.
Authors: George J DuPaul; Robert Reid; Arthur D Anastopoulos; Matthew C Lambert; Marley W Watkins; Thomas J Power Journal: Psychol Assess Date: 2015-05-25
Authors: Mario Fernando Jojoa-Acosta; Sara Signo-Miguel; Maria Begoña Garcia-Zapirain; Mercè Gimeno-Santos; Amaia Méndez-Zorrilla; Chandan J Vaidya; Marta Molins-Sauri; Myriam Guerra-Balic; Olga Bruna-Rabassa Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-10-14 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: S Onnivello; S Colaianni; F Pulina; C Locatelli; C Marcolin; G Ramacieri; F Antonaros; B Vione; A Piovesan; S Lanfranchi Journal: J Intellect Disabil Res Date: 2021-11-09
Authors: Laura Del Hoyo Soriano; Tracie C Rosser; Debra R Hamilton; Danielle J Harvey; Leonard Abbeduto; Stephanie L Sherman Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-06-16 Impact factor: 4.379