Language Interventions for Children and Young People with Down syndrome
- Lizbeth Finestack (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities)
Correspondence: finestack@umn.edu
The developmental profiles of individuals with Down syndrome are complex with intersections across an array of domains, including motor, cognition, speech, language, and many more. Acknowledging these intersections, this presentation will focus specifically on the challenges associated with language that all individuals with Down syndrome experience. The presentation will include information regarding the most significant language domains impacted paired with evidence-based approaches that clinicians and families may use to support language development during childhood.
In early infancy, infants with Down syndrome demonstrate differences in their communication and language abilities compared to typically developing infants. For example, infants with Down syndrome tend to produce fewer vocalizations. Vocalizations are a key component to early engagement and one of the first steps to building language systems. Thus, fewer vocal productions lead to fewer interactions between infants with Down syndrome and their caregivers and fewer opportunities to develop strong communicative interactions. One approach that may be used to support early vocalizations and engagement with caregivers is for clinicians and caregivers to use strategies, such as vocal play and contingent responding, that encourage more frequent varied vocalizations within interactions.
Challenges with language development continue into childhood, necessitating continually monitoring and intervention support. This may include teaching sign language or using high tech devices to support early communication or using pictures to support story-tlling and reading comprehension. Thus, it is important to carefully consider the child’s and their caregivers’ needs through development and to continually reassess if the current supports are working or if adjustments are needed. The presentation will include discussion of these strategies among others.
