Behavioral problems associated with Down syndrome

Children with Down syndrome are at a slightly higher risk for behavioral problems than other children their age. These problems may include:

• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
• Autism, which is a type of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with Down syndrome who develop ADHD most often have problems with inattention and fewer problems with hyperactivity and impulsivity. (There are three main types of ADHD based on whether symptoms are mostly related to inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity.)¹

Citations

1. American Psychiatric Association (2000). Attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text rev., pp. 85-103. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.