MenuWhat's in the Future?AssessmentSpeechInitial AssessmentInitial Assessment - Case HistoryInitial Assessment - Formal AssessmentInitial Assessment - Informal AssessmentAudiologicalBenifits of Early InterventionWhat Is DS?Chromosomal VariationsDiagnosisCommon Health IssuesStatistics and FactsCase StudyMyths & TruthsInterventionIntervention StrategiesTreatment PlanTreatment Plan - General Behavioural PerformanceTreatment Plan - Oromotor SkillsTreatment Plan - Receptive and Expressive Language SkillsTreatment Plan - Speech SkillsTreatment Plan - Pragmatic SkillsSpeech & LanguageLanguage CharacteristicsSpeech CharacteristicsEffects of Hearing LossRelated SkillsMilestonesHow Can Parents Help?What's in the Future?AssessmentSpeechInitial AssessmentInitial Assessment - Case HistoryInitial Assessment - Formal AssessmentInitial Assessment - Informal AssessmentAudiologicalBenifits of Early InterventionWhat Is DS?Chromosomal VariationsDiagnosisCommon Health IssuesStatistics and FactsCase StudyMyths & TruthsInterventionIntervention StrategiesTreatment PlanTreatment Plan - General Behavioural PerformanceTreatment Plan - Oromotor SkillsTreatment Plan - Receptive and Expressive Language SkillsTreatment Plan - Speech SkillsTreatment Plan - Pragmatic SkillsSpeech & LanguageLanguage CharacteristicsSpeech CharacteristicsEffects of Hearing LossRelated SkillsMilestonesHow Can Parents Help?
What Is Ds
        Down Syndrome is the most frequently occurring chromosomal abnormality, occurring in approximately one in every 800-1000 live births. It affects individuals of all ages, races and economic status and occurs equally among boys and girls. Individuals with Down Syndrome are human beings with a chromosomal disorder which usually causes delays in physical, intellectual and language development.

         Down Syndrome results from extra material (additional genes) along the 21st chromosome altering the course of development and causing the characteristics typically associated with DS. It is typically caused by an error in cell division (non-disjunction), but may also be caused by 2 other forms of chromosomal abnormalities (translocation and mosaicism).
Assessment

        Most children with Down Syndrome (DS) are faced with speech and language challenges. In order to determine an appropriate treatment plan for children with DS, one must first consider "normal" development and then explore how and why the DS population differs. There are no speech and language challenges unique to children with DS. There are however, some common areas of difficulty that should be considered during an assessment:
   - sequencing of sounds and words
   - intelligibility of speech and articulation
   - fluency
   - mean length of utterance (MLU)
        Since studies have shown that children with communication difficulties perform better with familiar examiners, it is essential for the SLP to gain a good rapport with the child and to become familiar with the child's communication patterns prior to assessment. The length of the evaluation can vary depending on the child's level of cooperation and adjustment to the setting and may take up to three of four sessions to complete.

Intervention

Benefits of Early Intervention:
     - enhances the development of infants and toddlers with special needs
     - provides support network for families of children with Down Syndrome
     - reduces the effects of developmental disabilities among these children
     - prepares children for the eventual mainstream in public and private schools

Speech & Language

        Communication skills are important, especially considering their contribution to inclusion and integration in numerous settings. There is no single pattern of speech and language common to all children with DS - but many display various speech and language challenges. All problems demonstrated by children with DS are faced by other children as well - that is to say, that no speech and language problems are unique to DS.

        Though speech is the most difficult form of communication for individuals with DS to develop, more than 95% use speech as their primary communication system. The actual course of speech and language in those with DS is difficult to predict - but simply put, they acquire the same language skills as the "average" child, just at a slower rate. Most fail to acquire language structures beyond an early preschool level, with impairments seen in several areas; though expressive language continues to develop well into their adolescent and young adult years. Since approximately 95% sometimes have difficulty being understood by those outside of their immediate family, speech and language services should be considered throughout life.

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