WeeFIM and CRIDI-TEA results in children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder at the CRIT Guanajuato.

This study looked at children with Down syndrome to see how many also have autism. Out of 42 children, about half (47.6%) had both Down syndrome and autism. Children with both conditions needed more help with moving around, thinking tasks, and taking care of themselves. The good news is that autism behaviors improved over time with treatment.

This observational study examined the relationship between functional ability (WeeFIM) and autism symptoms (CRIDI-TEA) in children with Down syndrome at a Mexican rehabilitation center. Of 42 children with Down syndrome, 22 were screened and 90% tested positive for autism spectrum disorder, representing 47.6% of the total sample. Children with both conditions showed greater dependency in mobility, cognition, and self-care compared to those with Down syndrome alone. The study found no significant association between screening tools, possibly due to lack of diagnostic confirmation in negative cases.

Behavioral improvements were observed over time, suggesting potential benefits of intervention.

High autism prevalence in Down syndrome supports systematic screening protocols. Dual diagnosis significantly impacts functional abilities, requiring individualized rehabilitation approaches targeting mobility, cognitive, and self-care skills. Positive behavioral changes over time suggest benefits of early intervention.

Single-center study with small sample size (n=42). No control group for comparison. Lack of diagnostic confirmation in participants who screened negative may have affected statistical associations. Limited follow-up data on behavioral improvements over time.

El síndrome de Down (SD) puede coexistir con el trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), complicando el diagnóstico y tratamiento. Entre el 16 y 42% de los niños con SD cumplen criterios para TEA, frente al 1.7% en la población general. La detección oportuna de esta comorbilidad es crucial para implementar intervenciones tempranas que favorezcan el desarrollo funcional. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la relación entre los puntajes de las escalas WeeFIM y CRIDI-TEA en pacientes con diagnóstico dual atendidos en el Centro de Rehabilitación Infantil Teletón (CRIT) Guanajuato.

Estudio observacional y prolectivo en pacientes con SD registrados en CRIT Guanajuato. Se aplicó la prueba de tamizaje VEANME y, en quienes superaron el punto de corte, se utilizó CRIDI-TEA para confirmación diagnóstica. La funcionalidad se evaluó mediante WeeFIM. Se empleó estadística descriptiva y prueba exacta de Fisher para el análisis.

De 42 pacientes, 22 fueron evaluados con CRIDI-TEA; el 90% resultó positivo, equivalente al 47.6% del total. No se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre VEANME y CRIDI-TEA. Los niños con diagnóstico dual mostraron mayores niveles de dependencia en movilidad, cognición y autocuidado. Asimismo, se observó una reducción en conductas TEA con el tiempo.

La alta prevalencia de TEA en niños con SD justifica el uso sistemático de tamizaje. La coexistencia de ambas condiciones tiene un efecto negativo en la funcionalidad, por lo que se requiere un abordaje rehabilitador integral y personalizado. Down syndrome (DS) may coexist with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), creating complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. It is estimated that 16-42% of children with DS meet diagnostic criteria for ASD, compared to a 1.7% prevalence in the general pediatric population.

Early AD detection in this group is essential to initiate timely interventions that promote functional development. This study aimed to describe and analyze the relationship between WeeFIM and CRIDI-ASD scores in children with a dual diagnosis of DS and ASD treated at CRIT Guanajuato. An observational, protective study was conducted on patients with DS registered in the CRIT Guanajuato database. The VEANME screening tool was used to detect potential ASD traits; those exceeding the established cut-off were subsequently assessed with the CRIDI-ASD diagnostic tool.

Functional status was evaluated using the WeeFIM scale. Data were compiled in Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test. Of the 42 children with DS, 22 exceeded the VEANME cut-off and were assessed with CRIDI-ASD, with 90% testing positive, representing 47.6% of the total sample. No statistically significant association was found between VEANME and CRIDI-ASD, likely due to the absence of diagnostic confirmation in those with negative screening.

Children with dual diagnoses showed higher dependency in mobility, cognition, and self-care domains. Behavioral improvements over time were also observed. The high prevalence of ASD in children with DS supports systematic screening. Co-occurrence of both conditions significantly impacts functionality, highlighting the need for comprehensive, individualized rehabilitative approaches.