Eight takeaways from @PACTLanguage article in @rcslt_bulletin Down’s Syndrome: Language development and intervention @ChromosomesNews @PositiveaboutDS @PortsmouthDSA @DSRF_UK @rachelmewes1982 @TheOwlCentre @DSiupdate @DSAInfo @sallyephillips @dontbesorry2 @DownsSideUp

#1 Children with DS who receive more frequent intervention make greater progress (Burgoyne et al 2012; Yoder et al 2014) It is therefore vital that SLTs deliver direct therapy regularly.

#2 Other studies show that language is stable at this time (during late adolescence and early adulthood) and indeed can improve when individuals have access to appropriate speech and language therapy (Berry et al 1984c Carr, 2000, Chapman et al, 2002)

#3 A recent systematic review.....shows that targeted language interventions can improve language outcomes in this population (Smith et al 2020). This evidence clearly supports provision of language intervention for this group.

#4 speech and language therapy should be sustained into adolescence and adulthood given evidence of continuing gains (Chapman and Hesketh 2001)

#5 more intense intervention is likely necessary to see measurable changes in child language

#6 Results of a 10 week intervention focusing on early social communication skills (age 17-23 months) show benefits for language learning (Seaver et al 2017)

#7 Phonological awareness is critical for reading and should form part of a comprehensive approach to reading instruction (Burgoyne et al 2012)

#8 A recent systematic review of parent mediated interventions for children with DS found effects on parental behaviour but inconsistent improvement on child’s language and communication (O’Toole et al 2018) (possibly due to insufficient intervention)