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Parental speech to young Down's syndrome children: an intervention study
American Journal of Mental Deficiency
|May 1, 1979
Summary
Parents of children with Down syndrome improved language skills when taught specific strategies. Effective methods involved using more target words in statements, while questioning or imitating was less successful for language development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Children with Down syndrome often experience delays in expressive language development.
- Early language intervention is crucial for improving communication skills in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different parental language strategies on the expressive language development of children with Down syndrome.
- To identify effective strategies that facilitate vocabulary acquisition and word usage.
Main Methods:
- Parents of children with Down syndrome (at the one-two word stage) were given language objectives without specific instructions.
- Parental language strategies were observed and analyzed for effectiveness.
- Less successful strategies were modified, and parents were retrained.
Main Results:
- Parents spontaneously adapted their language strategies.
- Successful strategies involved using more target words in shorter, statement-like utterances.
- Less successful strategies included excessive questioning or imitation.
Conclusions:
- Parental language strategies significantly influence the expressive language development of children with Down syndrome.
- Explicit instruction in effective strategies, such as using statements with target words, can enhance child language outcomes.
- Targeted intervention can improve vocabulary acquisition in young children with Down syndrome.