Behavioural flexibility in individuals with Angelman syndrome, Down syndrome, non-specific intellectual disability and Autism spectrum disorder

J Intellect Disabil Res. 2008 Jun;52(Pt 6):503-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2008.01055.x. Epub 2007 Apr 2.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about behavioural flexibility in children and adults with Angelman syndrome and whether people with this syndrome have more or less problems in being behaviourally flexible as compared with other people.

Method: Behavioural flexibility scores were assessed in 129 individuals with Angelman syndrome using 11 items from the Behavioural Flexibility Rating Scale-Revised (Green et al. 2007). Level of behavioural flexibility scores in individuals with Angelman syndrome (N = 129) was compared with that of people with non-specific intellectual disability (ID) (N = 90), Down syndrome (N = 398) and Autism spectrum disorder (N = 235).

Results: Comparative analyses show that individuals with Angelman syndrome were more flexible than those with non-specific ID (P < 0.001) and those with Autism spectrum disorder (P < 0.01). There were no differences in behavioural flexibility scores between individuals with Angelman syndrome and those with Down syndrome (P = 0.94).

Conclusion: It is concluded that individuals with Angelman syndrome are comparatively flexible in their behaviour.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Angelman Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Angelman Syndrome / psychology
  • Autistic Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Down Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Down Syndrome / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intellectual Disability / diagnosis*
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology
  • Male
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Social Behavior*
  • Social Environment*