Respondents showed evidence of slowing in all areas of functioning:
 - Walking slowly
 - Eating Slowly
 - Speaking Slowly
   - Failing to initiate conversation
 - Slowness in overall body movement


Cedarville University

- Mental deterioration
- Slowing
- Confusion
- Reduced output of speech
- Deterioration in gait
- Personality Change

Common Early Symptoms of Dementia in Individuals with Down Syndrome

Deb, S., Hare, M. and Prior, L. (2007), Symptoms of dementia among adults with Down's syndrome: a qualitative study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51: 726-739. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2007.00956.x

Symptoms of dementia among adults with Down's syndrome: a qualitative study

Early
  - Apathy 
  - Withdrawal

Late
 - Severe intellectual deterioration
 - Marked Changes in Personality and Mood
 - Loss of Sphincter Control
 - Onset of epileptic seizures 
 - Loss of mobility with increased muscle tone
 - Eventual complete loss of all self-help skills

Common Early and Late Symptoms of Dementia in individuals with IDD

Slowness Diagnosing Dementia in Individuals with Down Syndrome

Carers mentioned:
 - Not socializing
 - Becoming reclusive
 - Going into their own world
   - Fantasy
 - Very little eye contact
 - Vacant look
 - Putting head down a lot of the time
 - Refusing to communicate
 - Becoming very quiet

Problems with Socializing in Individuals with Down Syndrome with Diagnosed Dementia

- Tardiness in instigating a conversation
- Lack of Expression
- Flattening of tone of voice
- New appearance of
  -  repetitive questioning
  - Speech becoming slow and difficult to understand
- Problem with their own comprehension
  - Manifested in inability to follow instructions

Speech and Language Problems in Individuals with Down Syndrome and Diagnosed Dementia

Manifested through:
 - Nervousness
 - Fearfulness 
- Shakiness
- Low Self- Esteem
- Nervousness when walking on uneven surface
- Seeking company when unwell
- Becoming fearful of heights and stairs
- Tendency to give up easy
- Worrying Excessively about everything

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