Children with Down syndrome often have articulation problems due to low muscle tone in the face and hearing problems. Speech language pathologists use speech therapy, sign language, and other means to help these children communicate clearly. It is important for their development and skills like articulation, pragmatics, and conversation are worked on. Karyotyping is used to determine the type of Down syndrome present by examining the chromosomes.

1. Articulation
Sign Language
Non-Verbal
Communication
Pragmatics
Conversation Skills
Concept Skills
Therapies

2. Down
Syndrome
Autism

3. Articulation:
The adjustments and
movements of speech organs
involved in pronouncing a
It is very important for children particular sound, taken as a
whole
with Down syndrome to receive
speech therapy because they often Causes of Articulation
Problems:
have small mouths and enlarged The cause of the articulation
tongues. This deficiency therefore problem in a child with Down
causes them to have articulation syndrome is caused by the
low muscle tone of their face
problems, or trouble speaking muscles and their hearing
clearly. problems

4. Speech language pathologists
will work with the children to
help them communicate
clearly. This task is done by
simply talking to the child,
but in many cases of children
with Down syndrome, sign
language is used as the
means of communication.

5. Chromosomal
Disruption of
Chromosome
21
The American
Sign Language
Alphabet

6. Trisomy 21:
This is the most common type of Down syndrome that occurs in
approximately 95% of all children with DS. This type of DS occurs because
of an error in cell division either before or at the time of conception.
Mosaicism:
This type of Down syndrome occurs in about 1-2% of all children with
DS. In this type, the error in separation of the 21st chromosome occurs
in one of the first few cell divisions AFTER fertilization, which causes
the fetus to have some cells with 46 chromosomes and some with 47.
Translocation:
This type occurs in approximately 3-4% of all babies born with Down
syndrome. In this type of DS, a part of the 21st chromosome breaks off and
attaches itself to another chromosome. The chromosome that the part of
the 21st attaches to is often the 14th chromosome.

7. Karyotyping:
This is a test to examine
chromosomes in a sample of
cells, which can help identify
genetic problems as the cause
of a disorder or disease.
What It Can Do:
It can count the number of
The test used to chromosomes and look for
determine what type of structural changes in
chromosomes
Down syndrome is present How Is the Test Performed:
The test can be performed on
in an individual is called almost any tissue, including
karyotyping. amniotic fluid, bone marrow,
and placenta.

8. Non-Verbal Communication:
The SLP will teach the child
gestural communication, or
training with PECS, electronic
talking devices, etc.
Children with autism spectrum
Speech Pragmatics: disorders are either non-verbal or
The SLP will help the child
understand how, when, and extremely verbal, they are almost
who to use certain phrases always recommended to a speech
with. language pathologist to help them
Conversation Skills: with a wide range of skills, including
The SLP works on back-and- non-verbal communication, speech
forth exchanges of words, pragmatics, conversation skills, and
sometimes known as “joint
attention” concept skills.

9. Concept Skills:
Autistic children often have a
tough time with ideas like
“few,” “justice,” and
Although it may seem odd that “liberty.” They may be able to
children with autism are state something, but that
recommended to a speech language doesn’t mean they
understand the concept, and
pathologist, but the reason they are the SLP will help them to do
is because they are more likely to so.
misuse and misunderstand language Other Types of Therapies:
on a regular basis. Over time, even Along with speech therapy,
children with autism may also
the non-verbal children can develop go to play therapy, drama
communication skills and may even therapy, and sensory
develop spoken language skills. integration therapy.

11. Autistic Disorder:
A neurological developmental disorder that usually appears during
the first three years of life
Asperger’s Disorder:
A milder variant of Autistic Disorder
PDD-NOS:
Stands for pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise
specified, meaning that it is “on the autism spectrum, but doesn’t
fall within the existence of a specific category

12. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder:
A condition in which children develop normally through age 3
or 4, but then lose language, social, and motor skills already
learned in a few months
Rhett’s Syndrome:
A neurological developmental disorder that mostly occurs in
females. Infants with RS seem to develop normally at first, but
then stop developing and even lose skills and abilities.