Background: Atypical speech prosody has been commonly found among autistic children. Yet it remains unknown whether prosody impairment originates from poor pitch ability in general or whether it is the result of the difficulty in understanding and using prosody for communicative purposes. Aims: To investigate whether native Mandarin…

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder that is characterized by myriad genetic, physical, and behavioral abnormalities (Buiting et al., 2016; Thibert et al., 2013; Wheeler et al., 2017). Due to complex developmental delays and intellectual disability associated with AS, including gross/fine motor delays, lack of speech, and…

Population-based research can identify eligibility patterns across e disabilities and cultures, and the Head Start ECLKC gathers relatively controlled data of students in the United States (U.S.) and Puerto Rico, providing an opportunity to directly compare cultures. We compared preschool diagnostic eligibility categories in the U.S. and Puerto…

Purpose: Cluttering is a fluency disorder that has been noted clinically in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Yet, cluttering has not been systematically characterized in this population, hindering identification and intervention efforts. This study examined the rates of cluttering in male young adults with FXS using expert clinical…

Purpose: Chromosome 16p11.2 deletion syndrome (OMIM #611913) is a rare genetic condition resulting from the partial deletion of approximately 35 genes located at Chromosome 16. Affected people exhibit a variable clinical profile, featuring mild dysmorphisms, motor problems, developmental delay, mild intellectual disability (ID), socialization…

Despite multiple global commitments to protect the rights of people with disabilities, discriminatory attitudes and social norms continue to disadvantage children with disabilities (CWD) in various ways. This manuscript examines the conceptualisation and measurement of discriminatory attitudes and social norms towards to CWD. A systematic review…

Sotos syndrome is a congenital overgrowth syndrome associated with intellectual disability. This study investigated communicative abilities of children with Sotos syndrome (n = 31), using the Children's Communication Checklist, second edition. A cross-syndrome approach was used to establish the specificity of these abilities. Children with…

Adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who also possess limited speech capabilities often display poor language and academic skills in adolescence. However, as with all adolescents, they have personal goals and should have equal access to participation across facets of life including but not limited to education.…

Rhyme awareness is a typical component of preschool curricula, yet research evidence does not support a direct link between rhyming ability in typically developing preschoolers and later literacy acquisition. Since the evidence base on literacy development among typically developing children is often used to guide intervention among children with…

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a common genetic disorder that can cause a vast array of health conditions. Characteristics of NS include specific facial features as well as a higher chance of developing congenital heart disease, failure to thrive, and vision abnormalities. These deficits may manifest as behavioral and emotional difficulties, leaving…

Objectives: This paper explores the relationship between speech therapy intensity and parent satisfaction with speech therapy (ST) in children with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (P-MS), a rare genetic disorder. Methods: ST intensity ("ST Dose [minutes per session]") × ("ST Dose Frequency") × ("ST Length [years]") and…

Background: Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) often demonstrate speech impairments and reduced intelligibility. However, traditional treatment methods, which involve using repetitive verbal and non-verbal exercises, may not be fully suitable for this population. As adults with ID tend to lose interest and motivation facing the demands…

School psychologists are asked to provide a number of different services in schools, including evaluating and providing recommendations to educators and parents on children and adolescents with rare genetic conditions. One genetic disorder with physical, cognitive, and behavioral features is Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). PWS is a unique genetic…

Speech and language impairments can pose significant challenges to the successful workplace inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) and/or autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Breakdowns are most likely to occur when support staff, workplace supervisors, or co-workers are unsure how to support effective communication.…

Much research has documented the elevated levels of stress experienced by families of autistic children. Yet remarkably little research has examined the types of support that these families perceive to be beneficial to their lives. This study, co-produced by researchers and school-based professionals, sought to establish these families' support…