Phonology of Down Syndrome Speakers, Ages 13-22

Abstract

The phonological process and distinctive feature performances of 24 Down syndrome (DS) participants, ages 17-22 were investigated. Only one subject had a history of speech-language intervention. In a second investigation, identical assessment procedures were used with a second sample of 21 Down speakers, ages 13-17, all of whom had histories of speech-language intervention. Comparisons of phonological skills were made across groups to relate performances to age groups, hypotheses that DS speech is delayed or deviant, and methods of assessment (picture-naming imitative naming, or connected samples). Data provide a basis for some conclusions on each issue and reveal characteristics of the speech of older children having DS.