The fearfulness of heights and stairs may not be directly attributed to dementia, but another disorder. Many individuals with Down Syndrome develop comorbidities in later adulthood that may contribute to balance and movement difficulties, like Parkinson's disease for example.

Could the Lack of Confidence in Individuals with Down Syndrome and Diagnosed Dementia be attributed to Comorbidities?



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

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

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


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

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