Language and number in Down syndrome: the complex developmental trajectory from infancy to adulthood
1Neurocognitive Development Unit, Institute of Child Health, London. s.paterson@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Summary
Infants with Down syndrome and Williams syndrome show similar delays in language and number skills, unlike adults with these conditions. Understanding infant development is key for atypical groups.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Down syndrome and Williams syndrome present distinct cognitive profiles in adults.
- Infant development in these syndromes is less understood, particularly regarding early language and number skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare language and number understanding in infants with Down syndrome and Williams syndrome.
- To compare infant performance with adult phenotypic outcomes.
- To characterize infant developmental trajectories in these atypical groups.
Main Methods:
- Assessed single-word comprehension using a visual preference paradigm in infants and controls.
- Assessed number discrimination using a novelty preference paradigm (2 vs. 3 objects).
- Compared performance across groups: Williams syndrome infants, Down syndrome infants, and mental age-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Infants with Down syndrome and Williams syndrome exhibited similar delays in single-word comprehension, unlike adult profiles.
- Infants with Williams syndrome discriminated numerosities, while infants with Down syndrome did not.
- The performance patterns in infants did not mirror the differences observed in adult phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Early language and number development in Down syndrome and Williams syndrome infants differs from adult outcomes.
- Characterizing the infant state is crucial for understanding developmental trajectories in atypical populations.
- Developmental pathways for these syndromes are not simply scaled-down versions of adult impairments.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Language Development
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
01:27Introduction to Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology explores the changes and continuities in human abilities throughout life, encompassing physical, cognitive, linguistic, and social dimensions. Human development is not restricted to growth, but includes aspects of decline, particularly in physical abilities as individuals age. Developmental psychologists seek to understand how people change as they age and how their mental and social skills evolve.Developmental MilestonesA key concept in developmental psychology is...
01:29Three Developmental Domains
Human development is typically examined across three main domains: physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional. These domains represent the significant areas of change and continuity throughout the lifespan, from infancy to late adulthood.
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
01:29Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
01:25Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...