How common is Down syndrome with autism?

In fact, it is estimated that autism in individuals with Down syndrome is 10-25 times more common than in the typical population. At the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation, our prevalence rate is in line with these studies, with approximately 12\% of our students having a dual diagnosis.

What is the earliest age that ASD can be diagnosed reliably by experienced professionals?

ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered very reliable. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until much older.

How is autism different from Down syndrome?

Children with DS-ASD scored significantly higher than their peers with Down syndrome alone on all five subscales of the ABC: sensory function, social relating, body and object use, language use and social skills. Children with DS-ASD show less impairment in social relatedness than those with ASD only.

Is Down syndrome more common in certain groups?

Older mothers are more likely to have a baby affected by Down syndrome than younger mothers. In other words, the prevalence of Down syndrome increases as the mother’s age increases. Prevalence is an estimate of how often a condition occurs among a certain group of people.

What is the average age of diagnosis for autism?

Although ASD can be diagnosed as early as 18 months of age (Hyman et al., 2020), the latest review indicated that, globally, the mean age at ASD diagnosis ranges between 38 and 120 months (Daniels & Mandell, 2014).

Why is early ASD diagnosis important?

Children who receive autism-appropriate education and support at key developmental stages are more likely to gain essential social skills and react better in society. Essentially, early detection can provide an autistic child with the potential for a better life.