There has been a great deal of research indicating that persons with Down Syndrome are likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease as they age (and, of course, at an earlier age than the general population). As I'm sure you know, Alzheimer's Disease is a type of dementia that requires loss of memory and some loss of executive functioning for diagnosis. The APA's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders indicates that "probably all patients with Down Syndrome develop neuropathic signs of Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type by the age of 40." Dealing with these persons can certainly be a challenge. There are a number of texts devoted to working with the behavioral problems of persons with dementia that you might consult. Thanks for being so interested in your clients.
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