Reported Sensory Processing of Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Investigators have identified delays and differences in cognitive, language, motor, and sensory development in children with Down syndrome (DS). The purpose of this study was to determine the parent-reported frequency of sensory processing issues in children with DS aged 3–10 years, and the parent-reported functional impact of those sensory issues. Parents completed the short sensory profile (SSP) and a parent questionnaire (PQ). SSP results revealed a total score definite difference rate of 49%. Highest rates of probable and definite difference were in the low energy/weak, underresponsive/seeks sensation, and auditory filtering subsections of the SSP. Themes were generated from responses on the PQ regarding the functional impact of sensory differences on occupational performance in their children with DS, and related strategies currently used by parents. Findings from the study provide information to parents and health care professionals regarding sensory processing patterns in children with DS, and provide foundational data for future research.

Altered intrinsic and network properties of neocortical neurons in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome

“…; Bruni et al. ; Wuang and Su ) as well as DS mouse models (Martínez‐Cué et al. ; Scott‐McKean et al.…”

“…It is becoming increasingly evident that primary sensory regions of the neocortex also contribute to higher level cognitive processes (Postle 2006;Bancroft et al 2014). Thus the deficits in processing sensory information observed in DS individuals (Babiloni et al 2009;Bruni et al 2010;Wuang and Su 2011) Kuhn et al 2012) may impact not only the regional modality but cognitive abilities in general. In spite of these reports, assessment of electrophysiological neuronal and network function within the somatosensory neocortex has not been performed yet.…”

“…Deficits in processing and responding to somatosensory information are also prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome (Bruni et al. ; Wuang and Su ). As it has been postulated that working memory may rely not just on the prefrontal cortex but on modality‐specific regions (Postle ; Bancroft et al.…”

“…Indeed, cognitive deficits in verbal and spatial short/long-term memory have been reported in DS individuals with a severity that correlates with gray matter densities in neocortical regions (Menghini et al 2011). Deficits in processing and responding to somatosensory information are also prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome (Bruni et al 2010;Wuang and Su 2011). As it has been postulated that working memory may rely not just on the prefrontal cortex but on modality-specific regions (Postle 2006;Bancroft et al 2014) these deficits involving multiple areas of the DS neocortex would be expected to have adverse effects on both perception and memory formation/retention.…”

Sensory dysregulation in tic disorders is associated with executive dysfunction and comorbidities

“…7,13 Other neurodevelopmental disorders typically co-occur with tic disorders, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 23 and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sensory dysregulation are common in people with neurodevelopmental disorders, [24][25][26][27][28][29] particularly ASD, and are associated with impaired function. [30][31][32][33][34] Sensory dysregulation is associated with decreased school participation and engagement in daily tasks and increased parental stress levels.…”