Welcome to Season 3 of the Now and the Future Podcast brought to you by Down Syndrome Queensland!

Whilst it is commonly known that people with Down syndrome can be more likely to experience a range of possible health conditions, sometimes other non-medical diagnoses are subsequently made.

Research is now suggesting that people with Down syndrome can meet diagnostic criteria for conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, at higher rates than seen in people without Down syndrome.

In the past, this has commonly been referred to as ‘dual diagnosis’, however this term is no longer used as it can imply different meanings in other fields. The terms ‘co-occurring’ or‘ additional’ diagnosis are now preferred, and paired with the relevant condition e.g. Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (DS + ASD); Down syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (DS + ADHD).

This episode will feature conversations with several parents whose children have subsequently received additional diagnoses.

They explore what this has meant for their families and how it flows on to other settings, such as school or in the community.

DSQ has previously recorded two webinars on the topic of Down syndrome + ASD; you can view these at the following links:

View the webinar with Griffith University’s Autism Centre of Excellence (16.02.2021).

View the webinar with Dr Honey Huessler on navigating the diagnosis process (July 2021)

Down Syndrome Australia also has a fact sheet on Down syndrome and Autism which you can view here.

The DSMIG (Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group) DS-ASD Workgroup and partner Autism Speaks collaborated to create a new resource for Down syndrome-autism spectrum disorder (DS-ASD).

On the new DS-ASD page, you can read more about co-occurring Down syndrome and ASD, learn how autism presents differently in people with Down syndrome and access resources to further your education on this diagnosis.

Now And The Future is a production of Down Syndrome Queensland.

If you have a question, would like more information on any of our episodes, or have suggestions for future topics, send us an email - engagement@downsyndrome.qld.org.au.

For more information please visit the DSQ website, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Mentioned in this episode:

Down Syndrome Queensland