Is oppositional defiant disorder common in children/adults with Down syndrome?
Many children/adults with Down syndrome have a wonderful disposition: they are fun loving and their interactions generally involve teasing, making jokes, giggly outbursts that often may also lead to intrusive, uninhibited social behaviors. Many respond to structure and behavioral interventions with clear-cut reinforcements and rewards. Sometimes these behaviors become out of control and take over the overall interactions. They become increasingly oppositional, unable to listen, and quite single-minded and self-immersed, e.g., sitting down or lying down and refusing to get up, or continuing in a self-directed activity with disregard of consequences at meal, bath and bed times, or during transitions. The oppositional behaviors occur in individuals with all levels of cognitive and language skills, but is more difficult to manage in those with greater receptive-expressive communication skills. In the classroom setting, behavioral management and 1:1 aide may help to keep the situation in be
