Parents discuss communication skills in Smith-Magenis syndrome
-
Sleep: A New Cerebra Guide for Parents
A new guide for parents has been developed by researchers...
-
ASM 17 French Smith-Magenis Support Group Annual Conference
Lucy Wilde...
-
Smith Magenis Syndrome Awareness Month
November is Smith Magenis Awareness Month, and so parents and...
-
The Benefits of Communication Passports
Research has shown that many behaviours that challenge...
Adaptive Skills in Smith-Magenis Syndrome
Many individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome may be highly dependent on parents and carers for support in daily activities such as dressing and cooking meals. Some may also need close supervision and are unable to be left alone for long periods of time, this results in many adults with Smith-Magenis syndrome not being able to live fully independently.
Researchers have proposed that the difficulties in adaptive skills in Smith-Magenis syndrome are due to the challenging behaviour, attention deficits, impulsive behaviour, strong attachment to particular people and autistic behaviours characteristic of the syndrome rather than impairments in cognitive ability.
Communication in Smith-Magenis syndrome can be impaired, with individuals having a better understanding of what is being said in comparison to what they can communicate. However, individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome have been reported to be less impaired in their communicative abilities than other syndromes.