A cross-sectional analysis of executive function in Down syndrome from 2 to 35 years.
S J Loveall, F A Conners, A S Tungate and 2 others
PMID 28726285WHAT IT FOUND
Parents reported executive function difficulties in people with Down syndrome relative to same-age peers, especially working memory and planning.
For school-age children, emotional control and organizing materials were relative strengths, and 40% had elevated shifting scores.
Key findings
01Working Memory was clinically elevated in over half of children aged 2-5 and in 45% of individuals aged 6-18, and Planning/Organization was elevated in 40% of individuals aged 6-18.
02For ages 6-18, Emotional Control and Organization of Materials were relative strengths, with 11% and 14% clinically elevated scores.
03Less than 20% of children aged 2-5 had clinically elevated Flexibility scores, and 40% of individuals aged 6-18 had clinically elevated Shift scores.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show how executive function changes in the same person over time. It used parent report only, with no direct executive function tests or IQ measures. Parents may have answered differently because expectations change as children grow. Children aged 2-5 and older individuals answered slightly different questionnaire items, and composite scores were not always perfect matches. The sample had fewer older individuals, and people over 35 were excluded from analysis. Some questionnaire items may not have been relevant for individuals older than 18 because an adult form was not available.
Declared interests
No conflicts-of-interest statement is provided in the supplied text. The publication types list NIH extramural research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat these scores as direct measures of executive ability or as evidence that any intervention changes them. The results are parent-reported, cross-sectional, and lack direct testing or IQ data.