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Published on: April 28, 2016
Language, cognition, and short-term memory in individuals with Down syndrome
1Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. chapman@waisman.wisc.edu
Summary
Language and cognitive development in Down syndrome shows emerging differences, with expressive syntax and auditory memory being key challenges. Skills continue to develop into adolescence, influenced by working memory components.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Linguistics
Background:
- Down syndrome is associated with unique developmental trajectories in language and cognition.
- Prior research highlights emerging divergences in language and cognitive skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the emerging language and cognitive phenotype in Down syndrome.
- To investigate the role of working memory in language development.
- To identify predictors of language development over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study tracking language and cognitive skills over six years.
- Hierarchical linear modeling to analyze developmental predictors.
- Assessment of expressive and receptive language, lexical and syntactic knowledge, and memory skills.
Main Results:
- Identified emerging divergences in expressive/receptive language and lexical/syntactic skills.
- Auditory short-term memory and expressive syntax are significant areas of difficulty.
- Chronological age, visuospatial, and auditory short-term memory predict initial language skills.
Conclusions:
- Language skills continue to develop into adolescence in individuals with Down syndrome.
- Working memory components are crucial for language development.
- Predictors of language development vary for initial skills versus change over time.
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