Overactivity & Impulsivity
Key Facts about Overactivity & Impulsivity
- A review in 2006 summarised studies that had been conducted on Angelman syndrome. The review found that 43% of studies reported on hyperactivity/overactivity in children and adults. These results confirmed the notion that overactivity and attention problems occur frequently in Angelman syndrome.
- Overactivity has been linked to behaviours that challenge. A high proportion of children with Angelman syndrome will show behaviours that challenge at some age. To read more about behaviours that challenge generally in Angelman syndrome, click here.
- There is growing evidence that individuals with intellectual disability who have higher scores on measures of overactivity are more likely to show more stereotyped behaviour. This finding is not specific to Angelman syndrome.
- Impulsivity has been associated with greater restricted preferences, impulsive speech and repetitive speech. This finding is not specific to Angelman syndrome.
- Overactivity is thought to be more common in children with Angelman Syndrome. There is some evidence that this may gradually reduce or even disappear in adulthood, although the research into overactivity is ongoing and there have been contradictory findings.
- Distractibility
- Individuals with Angelman Syndrome often have difficulties with concentration and can be very easily distracted. Concentration is thought to gradually improve as individuals get older.
- DOWNLOAD ASSESSMENTS
- The Activity Questionnaire is available to download in the Assessments, Measures & Manuals section of this website and is available to health care professionals. This is a measure of overactivity and impulsivity that has been validated for use with children with intellectual disability.
Key Fact
Overactivity and impulsivity have been associated with the stereotyped and repetitive behaviour reported in individuals with Angelman syndrome.
