Symptom | Descriptor | Caregiver Feedback | Modified/New Descriptor |
---|---|---|---|
Memory for Names and Faces | Cannot name well known public figures | “This was true of my sister and all the people I know with Down syndrome. They have celebrities who they adore. ...And that became an issue, like recognizing some of her favorite [baseball] players and losing interest in them.” | Cannot name well known public figures or celebrities |
Personality Changes | Becomes sad | “I know depression is a problem. Which is pretty much. Well it’s not really the same thing but people might recognize it as the same thing.” | Becomes sad or depressed |
Eating | Only eats with a spoon | “Or doesn’t use a utensil. That’s our new thing. She’d rather eat with her fingers. So, we went from silverware to … to nothing now.” | Unable to use utensils, therefore uses hands/fingers to eat |
Self-Awareness and Insight | Unable to describe their feelings | “Maybe unable to “name” or describe their feelings? Because sometimes it’s a word retrieval thing. I can’t think of the word angry, but I can tell you that I feel like hitting you.” | Unable to name or describe their feelings |
Dressing | – | “He insists on wearing the same pair of shorts all week. And if he’s dressed and has a spot on his shorts and I say, “You can’t wear those today. Look, they’re dirty.” He goes “they’re not dirty, they’re not dirty” and it’s a whole issue.” | Wants to wear favourite outfit everyday |