title: Practical and social skills of 16-19-year-olds with Down syndrome: independence still far away.
abstract: Survival of children with Down syndrome (DS) has improved considerably, but insight into their level of daily functioning upon entering adulthood is lacking. We collected cross-sectional data from a Dutch nationwide cohort of 322 DS adolescents aged 16-19 (response 62.8%) to assess the degree to which they master various practical and social skills, using the Dutch Social competence rating scale and the Children's Social Behavior Questionnaire. Up to 60% mastered some of the skills required for independent functioning, such as maintaining adequate standards of personal hygiene and preparing breakfast. Less than 10% had achieved basic skills such as basic cooking and paying in a shop. It is difficult for DS people to master all the skills necessary to live independently. Ninety percent of adolescents with DS experience significant problems in social functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Post Office Box 2215, 2301 CE Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: helma.vangameren@tno.nl.
authors.forename: Helma B M
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Van Gameren-Oosterom
authors.forename: Minne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fekkes
authors.forename: Sijmen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Reijneveld
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Oudesluys-Murphy
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Verkerk
authors.forename: Jacobus P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Van Wouwe
authors.forename: Simone E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Buitendijk
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Congenital anomalies; Development; Down syndrome; Independence; Intellectual disability; Practical daily skills; Social functioning; Social skills; Socio-cognitive abilities; Trisomy 21