Language and communication development in down syndrome
Joanne E. Roberts,
Johanna Price,
Cheryl Malkin,
Corresponding Author
Joanne E. Roberts
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 0105 Smith Level Road, CB# 8180, Chapel Hill, NC 28599-8180Search for more papers by this authorJohanna Price
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Search for more papers by this authorCheryl Malkin
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Search for more papers by this authorJoanne E. Roberts,
Johanna Price,
Cheryl Malkin,
Corresponding Author
Joanne E. Roberts
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 0105 Smith Level Road, CB# 8180, Chapel Hill, NC 28599-8180Search for more papers by this authorJohanna Price
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Search for more papers by this authorCheryl Malkin
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Although there is considerable variability, most individuals with Down syndrome have mental retardation and speech and language deficits, particularly in language production and syntax and poor speech intelligibility. This article describes research findings in the language and communication development of individuals with Down syndrome, first briefly describing the physical and cognitive phenotype of Down syndrome, and two communication related domains—hearing and oral motor skills. Next, we describe language development in Down syndrome, focusing on communication behaviors in the prelinguistic period, then the development of language in children and adolescents, and finally language development in adults and the aging period. We describe language development in individuals with Down syndrome across four domains: phonology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. Wethen suggest strategies for intervention and directions for research relating to individuals with Down syndrome. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MRDD Research Reviews 2007;13:26–35.
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