Preference for water-related items in Angelman syndrome, Down syndrome and non-specific intellectual disability

J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2008 Mar;33(1):59-64. doi: 10.1080/13668250701872126.

Abstract

Background: Few case controlled studies have been published on the behavioural phenotype of Angelman syndrome (AS). Little is yet known about preferences in individuals with AS.

Method: Preferences for water-related items and non-water-related items were assessed in 27 individuals with AS and two matched groups of participants, one with Down syndrome (DS) and the other with non-specific intellectual disabilities (NS), using an adapted Dutch version of the Choice Assessment Scale (Matson et al., 1999).

Results: Individuals with AS showed a higher preference for water-related items compared to individuals in both comparison groups, substantiating previous reports which have suggested that individuals with AS are fascinated with water.

Conclusions: Knowledge about preferences in individuals with AS, especially with regard to water-related objects and activities, is important in person-centred planning of daytime activities and training programs for this group.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Angelman Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Angelman Syndrome / psychology*
  • Angelman Syndrome / therapy
  • Avoidance Learning
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Day Care, Medical
  • Down Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Down Syndrome / psychology*
  • Down Syndrome / therapy
  • Escape Reaction
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / diagnosis
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology*
  • Intellectual Disability / therapy
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Play and Playthings
  • Residential Facilities
  • Token Economy*
  • Water*

Substances

  • Water