Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
12:43
A Protocol for Comprehensive Assessment of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Published on: February 21, 2011
Speech impairment in Down syndrome: a review
Ray D Kent1, Houri K Vorperian
1Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. kent@waisman.wisc.edu
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|January 1, 2013
Summary
Speech production in Down syndrome (DS) involves voice, speech sound, fluency, and intelligibility issues. Research highlights delayed development and unique errors, impacting communication significantly.
Area of Science:
- Speech-language pathology
- Genetics
- Developmental disorders
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is associated with various speech production challenges.
- Understanding these challenges is crucial for effective clinical intervention and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on speech production disorders in individuals with Down syndrome (DS).
- To inform clinical services and guide future research directions in DS speech pathology.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across major academic databases (MEDLINE, Google Scholar, PsycINFO).
- Inclusion of reference lists from retrieved documents and online sources.
- Focus on key speech functions: voice, articulation, phonology, prosody, fluency, and intelligibility.
Main Results:
- Voice: Mixed findings on phonatory disorders, with unclear nature and frequency.
- Speech Sounds: Combination of developmental delays and non-developmental errors in articulation and phonology, potentially emerging in infancy.
- Fluency and Prosody: High prevalence of stuttering/cluttering (10-45%) and significant prosodic disturbances.
- Intelligibility: Consistently reported limitations, with recent research moving beyond basic assessments.
Conclusions:
- Significant challenges exist in voice, speech sound production, fluency, prosody, and intelligibility in Down syndrome.
- Further research is needed to clarify the nature of phonatory disorders and identify sensitive measures.
- Speech patterns in DS involve both delays and unique error patterns, requiring tailored interventions.
Related Concept Videos
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...
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...
01:27Language 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.
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:21EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research
Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are excellent models for disease research because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into most cell types. Somatic cells from a patient are isolated and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. These iPSCs are later differentiated into the desired cell type, which mirrors the diseased cell of the patient. In this way, disease models have been created for investigating diseases such as Down syndrome, type I diabetes,...