DOWN'S SYNDROME AND THE FAMILY: FOLLOW‐UP OF CHILDREN FIRST SEEN IN INFANCY

Abstract

Twenty-three survivors of a prospective study of infants with Down''s syndrome were followed up at 8 or 9 yr of age. All but 3 lived at home and those 3 came home for weekends or school holidays. IQ varied from < 20 to 80 (mean 48). IQ and adaptive behavior scores were related to birthweight and muscle tone in infancy. Difficult behavior was common, but differed from that of normal children. More of the parents had minor degrees of psychiatric disability than parents in the control families. Marital problems arising in the earlier years of the child''s life persisted, but without further deterioration. The priorities for these families are to help the parents deal with emotional repercussions, to teach communication skills to the child, and to diagnose and treat difficult behavior.