Child has dementia

Honey01

I have a very dear friend whose daughter is 25 and was diagnosed eight months ago with dementia. My friend has been trying to find a support group for other parents who have children with dementia but she is unable to find anybody else. She feels extremely alone in this difficult time. Does anyone know if there is a support group specifically for parents who have children or young adult children who have dementia?

M1

There used to be a poster here named Cobalt whose son developed early onset dementia in his twenties related to some other serious congenital neurological problems. But she hasn't posted in a while. Dementias at that age are likely unrelated to the later life dementias medically, though the manifestation s could be similar. A high percentage of people with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) develop early onset dementia, but even that would be unusual at 25. I'm not aware of anyone else posting recently with similar concerns.

jfkoc

There are parents taking care of children with dementia but I have never heard of this at that early age.

Perhaps there is a medical cause and if so a support group for that illness exists.

I hope you will let us know what you turn up.

Iris L.

I was a pediatrician in my working life. I would be interested to know if this 25 year old was neurocognitively normal until recently. There are some psychiatric conditions that become apparent in the late teens and early twenties, that might mimic dementia. Dementia is a decline from the highest level of functioning. Was there any history of developmental delay, or brain trauma? Can the mother join this group? She will get lots of support and information.

Iris