Language Development of Children with Down Syndrome

Language Development of

Children with Down Syndrome

Language development of children with Down

syndrome is different from typically developing

children in the aspect of phonology, semantics,

and social communicative development.

What is Down Syndrome?

• Also known as Trisomy 21.• A chromosomal condition caused the

presence of an extra 21st chromosome.

• It is named after John Langdon Down.• A cause of Mental retardation.

Mental Retardation• Below-average intellectual

functioning.

Mild MR - IQ of 50 – 55Moderate MR - IQ of 35-40 to 50-55Severe MR- IQ of 20-25 to 35-40Profound - IQ of below 20 or 25

• Individuals with Down syndrome usually have low intelligence,

• IQ of children with Down syndrome is around 50. (which then explains that a child with DS is also MRd)

• Was then called MONGOLOIDS. • (symptoms)

CONTINUATION

Aspects of Language• Phonology (utters)• Semantics (understand &

comprehend)• Social-Communication

(communicate with others)

Language development of children with Down syndrome is different

from typically developing children in

the aspect of phonology,

semantics, and social communicative development.

Language development of children with Down syndrome is

different from normally developing children in the

aspect of phonology

• Babbling appears to be delayed by approximately two months compared to typically developing children.

• There is a delay in the production of speech sounds (compared to normally developing children)

• The difficulties in the formation of sounds occur in children with Down syndrome than in normal children.

Language development of children with Down syndrome is different from typically developing

children in the aspect of semantics

• Children with Down syndrome develop vocabularies at the rate which is comparable to their mental age.

• Their vocabulary is usually lower than typical adult levels.

• Children with Down syndrome at the age of 6 are more than 3 years behind typically developing children when it comes to lexical development.

Language development of children with Down syndrome is different from typically developing children in the

aspect of social communicative development

• There is difference between the social communicative development of children with Down syndrome.

• Children with Down syndrome show delays in the development of social communication.

• Children with Down syndrome are not good at interacting with a person and doing other things (playing with toy) at the same time.

CONCLUSION

There are delays in the language development of children with Down syndrome compared to children

who are developing normally.