Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome have strengths and challenges in development of communication skills, including receptive (understanding) language and expressive (speaking and composing sentences) language skills and reading. It takes a team to help children and adolescents progress well in speech and language; that team typically includes speech-language pathologists, physicians, classroom teachers, special educators and families. Speech-language pathologists have information and expertise to help address the speech and language problems faced by many children with Down syndrome. Physicians treat ear, nose and throat conditions and metabolic and hormonal concerns that may affect respiration, hearing, voice and articulation. School learning is language based, so classroom teachers, special educatos and speech-language pathologists help in modifying language and curriculum to help children learn. Parents play an important role in their child’s speech and language development because home and daily activities are the core of communication.