Knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementia in Down Syndrome: A Cross-Section Survey of Rehabilitation Graduate Students

Authors

• Alan F. Smith, University of LouisvilleFollow
• Abigail R. Donaway, University of LouisvilleFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Adults with Down syndrome have an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease–related dementia, often presenting with behavioral and functional changes rather than early memory impairment. Rehabilitation professionals may observe these changes across the lifespan; however, preparedness during professional training is unclear. This study examined graduate student knowledge of dementia in individuals with Down syndrome across rehabilitation disciplines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to graduate students in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs in the United States (N = 322). Outcomes included factual knowledge, recognition of stage-related characteristics, and familiarity with diagnostic and care considerations. Group differences were analyzed using analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis tests as appropriate, and associations with personal exposure were examined using Spearman correlations. Results: Graduate students demonstrated low factual knowledge across disciplines (mean accuracy < 50%). No significant differences were observed between programs for factual knowledge (H(2) = 0.405, p = .817) or familiarity with diagnostic and care considerations (F(2, 319) = 0.062, p = .940). Recognition of stage-related characteristics differed between disciplines (F(2, 319) = 3.314, p = .038, η² = .02), with occupational therapy students scoring higher than physical therapy students. Personal exposure to individuals with both Down syndrome and dementia showed small associations with factual knowledge (rₛ = −.222, p < .001) and familiarity scores (rₛ = .235, p < .001). Conclusions: Graduate students across rehabilitation disciplines demonstrated limited familiarity with dementia in individuals with Down syndrome. Findings suggest knowledge gaps may reflect shared educational exposure rather than discipline-specific training differences and support inclusion of targeted educational content within rehabilitation curricula.

Author Bio(s)

Alan F. Smith, EdD, CCC-SLP is Division Chief of Communicative Disorders and Full Professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, KY. He is a licensed speech-language pathologist and holds certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Abigail Donaway, MS, CCC-SLP is licensed to practice speech-language pathology in the state of Kentucky. She holds certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Recommended Citation

Smith AF, Donaway AR. Knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementia in Down Syndrome: A Cross-Section Survey of Rehabilitation Graduate Students. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2026 Sep 01;24(3), Article 15.