Language and verbal short-term memory skills in children with Down syndrome: A meta-analytic review
The meta-analysis includes journal articles in English, published before 7.4.2009 and identified through ERIC and PsycINFO. It concerns comparative studies of language skills in children with Down syndrome and typically developing children with similar nonverbal mental age. A total of 23 articles met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis, but to increase the number of articles, further search will be performed. Preliminary results show no significant difference between the two groups in receptive vocabulary, but group differences in favour of the typically developing children have been identified in expressive vocabulary, grammar and auditory memory.
Næss, K.-A.B, Lyster, S.-A. H., Melby-Lervåg, M. & Hulme, C. Language and verbal Short –Term Memory skills in Children with Down Syndrome: A Meta-Analytic Review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32 (6), November-December 2011, 2225-2234. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2011.05.014
A longitudinal study of language development in children with Down syndrome
An age cohort of children with Down syndrome born in 2002 is being followed over a period of three years with yearly language assessments (N =46). Careful assessments of their hearing is included at the second measure point. The children will be measured for the second time during the fall 2009. This study is unique in that internationally very few studies within Down syndrome field have followed such a large group with a narrow age range and for such a long time. Responsible: Næss, Lyster (supervisor), Hulme (co-supervisor).
Reading skills in children with Down syndrome: A meta-analytic review