Downs syndrome self talk
denise2
Community member Posts: 3 Listener
Our daughter lisa is 31 and has Downs syndrome, as she has got older she has developed a habit of constant muttering to herself. Even while doing activities, you cant hear or understand her and she stops when we speak to her. Sadly it makes people stare even more when we are out. I wonder if any other parent of a downs syndrome adult has experienced this.
Comments
-
Dear Denise,
From our experience at the DSA lots of people with Down's syndrome self-talk or talk to themselves.
People often use self-talk to let off steam, direct their own behaviour, to think out loud or to entertain themselves. In the vast majority of cases; self-talk is not a cause for concern. It is normal and appropriate for people with Down's syndrome.
What we have heard from families is that self-talk is an important coping tool and only rarely should it be considered a symptom of mental illness or psychosis.
When to perhaps be concerned is when a dramatic change occurs in the frequency and/or content of the self-talk. This may indicate a mental health or situational problem. Self-talk does appear to allow adults with Down's syndrome to problem-solve, to vent their feelings, to entertain themselves, and to process the events of their daily lives.
Having said that I can fully understand your concerns that it draws attention to your daughter in public.
Brian Chicoine & Dennis McGuire (authors of Mental Wellness In Adults With Down syndrome) have written a list of 'Self-talk Do's and Dont's' :
- Don't make the person with Down's syndrome feel bad because she uses self-talk.
- Don't try to eliminate self-talk.
- Discuss self-talk with the person: self-talk is ok but some people don't understand or are bothered by it, so not doing it in front of others is polite.
- Do encourage appropriate (socially acceptable) places for self-talk and gently discourage inappropriate places (such as at work or at school).
- Consider having a private signal to remind the person if she is doing self-talk in public.
- Discuss self-talk with others who come in contact with the person with Down syndrome (explain the normalcy).
Warm Wishes
Stuart Mills
Information Officer
Down's Syndrome Association
-
Hi stuart, thank you for your reply, it was very helpful. We will follow the advice and to maybe have a sign that will discourage lisa in public. Is it possible for us to buy this book, lisa is a member of The Downs Syndrome Association.
kind regards denise -
Hi Denise,
The details of the book are as follows:
'Mental Wellness In Adults With Down Syndrome' by Dennis McGuire & Brian Chicoine (Woodbine House, 2006).
You can purchase the book via Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mental-Wellness-Adults-Down-Syndrome/dp/1890627658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339401859&sr=8-1
Also by the same authors a very useful guide to good health for teens and adults with Down's syndrome (Woodbine House, 2010).
Best Wishes
Stuart
Stuart Mills
Information Officer
Down's Syndrome Association
Website: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
T: 0208 614 5100 | F: 0208 614 5127
WorkFit - a direct link between people with Down's syndrome and employers Visit the new central hub - www.dsworkfit.org.uk or view the WorkFit film to find out more
Down's Syndrome Association - the only charity to offer help and advice on ALL aspects of living with Down's syndrome
-
As an afterthought, the father of a woman with DS that I know says 'Who is your friend?' to her if he feels that she using too much self-talk in public. This makes her laugh and reminds her to stop self-talking.
Best Wishes
Stuart -
thank you stuart for your advice, much appreciated.
kind regards denise
Brightness
Categories
- All Categories
- 13.3K Start here and say hello!
- 7K Coffee lounge
- 101 Games lounge
- 483 Cost of living
- 4.6K Disability rights and campaigning
- 1.9K Research and opportunities
- 230 Community updates
- 9.6K Talk about your situation
- 2.1K Children, parents, and families
- 1.6K Work and employment
- 807 Education
- 1.7K Housing and independent living
- 1.4K Aids, adaptations, and equipment
- 666 Dating, sex, and relationships
- 374 Exercise and accessible facilities
- 845 Transport and travel
- 32K Talk about money
- 4.6K Benefits and financial support
- 5.2K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 17.2K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 5K Universal Credit (UC)
- 6.4K Talk about your impairment
- 1.8K Cerebral palsy
- 886 Chronic pain and pain management
- 183 Physical and neurological impairments
- 1.1K Autism and neurodiversity
- 1.3K Mental health and wellbeing
- 328 Sensory impairments
- 832 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions