Behavior problems of children with Down syndrome and life events

Behavior problems of 44 children with Down syndrome between the ages of 6 a nd 15 and 44 controls without mental retardation matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status were compared on the basis of mother and teacher ratin gs. Ratings from both sources indicated that children with Down syndrome ha d more behavior problems, in particular attention deficit, noncompliance, t hought disorder, and social withdrawal. Life events from the past year were significantly associated with mother but not teacher ratings of Down syndr ome behavior problems.