Most children and adults with Down Syndrome understand more language than their expressive language skills suggest.  As a result of poor expressive skills their understanding can also be underestimated.

Social interactive skills and non-verbal communication skills are usually a strength but speech production (articulation and phonology) is often a weakness.  The use of gestures and signs to communicate is a positive step.

Children with Down Syndrome usually experience considerable delay and difficulties with learning to talk.  There is a physical difficulty with speech production - first words are delayed and strings of words are difficult. 

Children with Down Syndrome show the same progression from one word to two word combinations, once they can say between 50-100 words.  They show the same progression to early grammar in their speech when they have a spoken vocabulary of 300-400 words.  The delay in reaching a productive vocabulary of 300-400 words (at 5-6 years, instead of at 2-3 years) may affect the ability to master sophisticated grammar and phonology in later speech.

Vocabulary learning, while delayed, is also a strength but grammar learning is a weakness.  Children tend to talk using keywords rather than complete sentences.

Progress in comprehension and production of vocabulary may be compromised by hearing difficulties.  There is often specific difficulty with speech sound production and speech intelligibilty may be an issue.

Progress in sentence production and in complex grammar learning may be compromised by a weakness in short-term memory. Teenagers and adults may still communicate with short, telegraphic sentences.

Articles and Information 

Speech Production in People with Down Syndrome by Monica Bray

Speech Therapy for Children with Down Syndrome  by Libby Kumin

Down Syndrome and Cued Speech by Pamela Beck

Speech and Language Resource Guide for Children with Down Syndrome : Pre-school through Kindergarten by Libby Kumin

Speech and Language Resource Guide for Parents of School Age Children with Down Syndrome by Libby Kumin

Speech, Language and Communication for Individuals with Down Syndrome: an overview

What Can We Do at Home to Help Our Child?

Links

Speech vocabulary and development charts http://www.talkingchild.com/speechchart.aspx

Cued Articulation Program  http://shop.acer.edu.au/acer-shop/group/CUED

Checklists  www.speechpathology.com/SchoolBased/checklists.asp

Speech Therapy - Computer Activities for Young Children http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bryanquinn/Inservice2004.htm

Resources

Schermerhorn, Will  Discovery: Pathways to Better Speech for Children with Down Syndrome [DVD]

Miller, Jon F  Improving the Communication of People with Down Syndrome

Buckley, Sue  The Development of Language and Reading Skills in Children with Down Syndrome

Communication Without Speech : A Guide for Parents and Teachers

Godfrey, Debbie  Enhancing Communication: A Guide to Communicating with Children Aged 5 Years and Over, Who Have Special Needs

Manolson, Ayala  It Takes Two To Talk : A Parent's Guide to Helping Children Communicate

Kumin, Libby  Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents

Kumin, Libby  Classroom Language Skills for Children with Down Syndrome : A Guide for Parents and Teachers

Kumin, Libby  What Did You Say? : A Guide to Speech Intelligibility in People with Down Syndrome [DVD]

Kumin, Libby  Helping Children with Down Syndrome Communicate Better : Speech and Language Skills for Ages  6-14

Kumin, Libby  Early Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome : A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Therapy Focus  Helping Your Child Develop Communication Skills : A Self-training Package Containing a Manual, DVD and CD-Rom [kit]

Down Syndrome Education Trust  Speech, Language and Literacy Development for Infants and Children with Down Syndrome

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Understanding Down Syndrome - Learning to Talk [VIDEO]