Overview

In all areas of development, children with Down syndrome vary in their developmental progress. Many factors will influence this including genetic make up, environmental influences and supports received, as with any child. Additional medical problems if present (eg hearing impairment or seizures), or potential additional developmental difficulties (eg Autism or ADHD ) will also influence developmental progress.

Research has identified a specific developmental profile of developmental strengths and weaknesses, typically associated with Down syndrome. However the degree to which any individual shows this pattern will vary.

Social development and social learning

These are strengths, right from infancy-the children enjoy and learn from social interaction with adults and peers. The children have strengths in social skills, and in developing age appropriate social behaviour, if encouraged.

Motor development

This is usually delayed and may hold back progress in self care skills, handling toys in play and in writing. However the use of gesture to communicate is a strength.

Speech and language development

This is usually the area of most significant delay. Most children understand more than they can say. Signing is an important bridge to speaking. Speech intelligibility is usually a difficulty. Hearing difficulties may contribute to speech and language delay.

Working memory development

This is specifically delayed relative to non-verbal abilities, particularly the verbal short-term memory component. Therefore learning from listening is difficult. Visual and spatial processing and memory are relative strengths. The children can be considered visual learners.

Reading ability is a relative strength, possibly related to good visual memory skills.

Number skills seem to be relatively delayed compared to reading skills.

Last Update Lyndsey Rowley August 2024

DSMIG Guidance

In typically developing children there is quite a wide range of normal development.

In children with Down syndrome the range is much wider. It is helpful if both parents and professionals are aware of these differences. Information is included in the Personal child health record (PCHR) insert for babies born with Down syndrome

DSMIG has not given specific guidance re developmental surveillance, but it is generally accepted that preschool development should be monitored and promoted through a multidisciplinary and interagency network, working closely with colleagues in Education. The recommended health surveillance programme aims to optimise health and prevent secondary factors impairing development.

 

Presentations at DSMIG Meetings

November 2023

Regression and Down Syndrome – Dr Shahid Zaman, Consultant Psychiatrist and Neuroscientist, University of Cambridge

November 2019

Neurological Approach To Regression And Poor Developmental Progression In Down Syndrome , Dr Richard Newton, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Manchester

May 2019, Birmingham

Developmental Psychiatric Psychological Aspects Of Down Syndrome , Professor Jeremy Turk

November 2015, London:

Speech, language and cognition-update and implications for education and effective interventions. Professor Sue Buckley OBE, Down syndrome education international. Royal Society of Medicine,

Additional Resources

Developmental charts- Personal child health record (PCHR) insert for babies born with Down syndrome.DSMIG 2020

An overview of the development of infants with Down syndrome (0-5 years)

Sue Buckley and Ben Sacks

Developmental journal for babies and children with Down syndrome Department for Education – Early support programme materials.

Book Chapters

Life with and for a person with Down syndrome. Stuart Mills, Gillian Bird,Lesley Black, Vanda Ridley,Sheila Heslam and Lou Marsden

and

Developmental, Psychological and Psychiatric Function.  Jeremy Turk

in
Down Syndrome – Current Perspectives MacKeith 2015
Edited by Richard Newton , Shiela Puri and Liz Marder

Down syndrome association leaflets

Motor skills – Children, Families & Education – Downs Syndrome Association (downs-syndrome.org.uk)

12 films made by Movimento Down, Brazil, which show activities for babies and toddlers guided by physiotherapist Alexandra Wakahara.