{"id":141876,"date":"2026-01-19T21:35:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T02:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/?p=141876"},"modified":"2026-01-19T21:35:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T02:35:30","slug":"can-you-have-both-down-syndrome-autism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/2026\/01\/19\/can-you-have-both-down-syndrome-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"Can\u00a0You Have\u00a0Both Down syndrome &amp; Autism?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many families wonder if a child with Down syndrome (DS) can also be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The answer is yes,&nbsp;and understanding this overlap is key to ensuring your child gets the right support.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How Common Is DS\u2013ASD?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Studies suggest that&nbsp;approximately&nbsp;<strong>16\u201320%<\/strong>&nbsp;of individuals with Down syndrome also meet the criteria for autism,&nbsp;significantly higher than in the general population. A 2023 study&nbsp;found&nbsp;<strong>13%<\/strong>&nbsp;of DS children had ASD, with some reports even citing rates as high as&nbsp;<strong>39%<\/strong>.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.autismspeaks.org\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-ds-asd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[autismspeaks.org]<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ndss.org\/resources\/dual-diagnosis-syndrome-autism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[ndss.org]<\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s11689-023-09478-w.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[link.springer.com]<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lumindidsc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Co-occuring-Conditions-in-Children-with-Down-Syndrome-and-Autism-A-Retrospective-Study-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[lumindidsc.org]<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What It Looks Like<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children with both diagnoses (sometimes called DS\u2013ASD) typically show:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More pronounced challenges in social communication (e.g., less eye contact or difficulty engaging)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Repetitive behaviors like flapping or lining up toys&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Greater delays in expressive language compared to DS alone&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.autismspeaks.org\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-ds-asd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[autismspeaks.org]<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.massgeneral.org\/children\/down-syndrome\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[massgeneral.org]<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, diagnosing ASD in a child with&nbsp;DS&nbsp;can be tricky. Some behaviors may overlap, and professionals must rule out medical issues and use thorough evaluations.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ndss.org\/resources\/dual-diagnosis-syndrome-autism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[ndss.org]<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.massgeneral.org\/children\/down-syndrome\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[massgeneral.org]<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Matters<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Identifying&nbsp;autism alongside Down syndrome helps tailor interventions,&nbsp;speech therapy, behavioral strategies, and sensory&nbsp;supports,&nbsp;to your child\u2019s specific needs. Early and&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;diagnosis improves outcomes and support at school and at home.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.massgeneral.org\/children\/down-syndrome\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[massgeneral.org]<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ndss.org\/resources\/dual-diagnosis-syndrome-autism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[ndss.org]<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What You Can Do<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Monitor development<\/strong>: Pay attention to changes in communication, social interaction, or behavior.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Seek evaluation<\/strong>: Work with professionals experienced in assessing DS and ASD.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Customize support<\/strong>: If ASD is diagnosed, integrate strategies like structured routines, visual aids, and therapies that address both learning and social-emotional needs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&nbsp;Final Thoughts<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes,&nbsp;Down syndrome and autism can coexist. About 1 in 5 individuals with DS may also have ASD. But this overlap&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;define your&nbsp;child,&nbsp;it simply guides the direction of care. With the right tools, understanding, and support, families can help children with DS\u2013ASD thrive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/files\/2026\/01\/Blog-Templates-5th-anniversary-10-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-141877\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/files\/2026\/01\/Blog-Templates-5th-anniversary-10-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/files\/2026\/01\/Blog-Templates-5th-anniversary-10-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/files\/2026\/01\/Blog-Templates-5th-anniversary-10-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/files\/2026\/01\/Blog-Templates-5th-anniversary-10-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/files\/2026\/01\/Blog-Templates-5th-anniversary-10.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sources:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cSpinazzi, Noemi A., et al. \u201cCo\u2011Occurring Conditions in Children with Down Syndrome and Autism: A Retrospective Study.\u201d&nbsp;<em>Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders<\/em>, vol. 15, no. 9, 2023,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s11689-023-09478-w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s11689-023-09478-w<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cDown Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (DS\u2011ASD).\u201d&nbsp;<em>Autism Speaks<\/em>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.autismspeaks.org\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-ds-asd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.autismspeaks.org\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-ds-asd<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cDual Diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism.\u201d&nbsp;<em>National Down Syndrome Society<\/em>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ndss.org\/resources\/dual-diagnosis-syndrome-autism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/ndss.org\/resources\/dual-diagnosis-syndrome-autism<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cDown Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (DS\u2011ASD): What You Need to Know.\u201d&nbsp;<em>MassGeneral&nbsp;Children\u2019s Hospital<\/em>, 15 Aug. 2022,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.massgeneral.org\/children\/down-syndrome\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.massgeneral.org\/children\/down-syndrome\/down-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-what-you-need-to-know<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Autistic Down Syndrome: Understanding Dual Diagnosis.\u201d&nbsp;<em>NeuroLaunch<\/em>, 10 Aug. 2025,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/neurolaunch.com\/autistic-down-syndrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/neurolaunch.com\/autistic-down-syndrome\/<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many families wonder if a child with Down syndrome (DS) can also be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The answer is yes,&nbsp;and understanding this overlap is key to ensuring your child gets the right support.&nbsp; How Common Is DS\u2013ASD?&nbsp; Studies suggest that&nbsp;approximately&nbsp;16\u201320%&nbsp;of individuals with Down syndrome also meet the criteria for autism,&nbsp;significantly higher than&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27745,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27745"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141876"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141876\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/buffalo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}