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The Use of Nonword Repetition as a Test of Phonological Memory in Children with Down Syndrome
Recent research suggests a significant relationship between verbal short-term memory and normal language development. Poor short-term memory and impaired language are features of Down Syndrome.
This study report the use of nonword repetition with 33 children and teenagers with Down Syndrome aged from 5-18 years, and investigates the relationship between this test and other memory and language measures.
Nonword repetition was significantly correlated with age, and when age and nonverbal cognitive ability were controlled, nonword repetition was significantly correlated with all other language-based memory measures, i.e. auditory digit span, word span, sentence repetition, and fluency, and also with memory for a sequence of hand movements, but not with memory for faces or a visual digit span task.
Down Syndrome, or trisomy 21, is the most common cause of learning disability, affecting an estimated 1/700 to 1/1000 live births. (Hassold & Jacobs) Besides physical appearance a number of other features are associated with the syndrome such as language impairment (Rondal), language development and dissociation within the language system (Fowler & Lenneberg).
There has been considerable research to investigate the memory deficit itself. One way to think of it is with a working memory model created by Baddeley and Hitch. The model includes the notion of separate systems for the processing of visuo-spatial material and verbal material.
The main focus of research on memory in Down Syndrome has thus been on the description of syndrome-specific deficits, the investigation of possible causes, such as a lack of rehearsal, or the remediation of these memory problems.
Hulme and Mackenzie hypothesize that language problems lead to memory problems that, in turn, affect skills such as reading comprehension. In normal development, individual differences in short term memory capacity correlate with reading ability. Findings suggest that learning to read may lead to improved auditory and visual memory skills as well as better vocabulary understanding and language comprehension.
By Lara Nederveen Pieterse
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16 comments:
I never really knew much about Down's Syndrome. Of course I have seen people affected by it, but I never knew that language could become impaired and/or underdeveloped. I think that if the language problems can lead to memory problems, the language issues should be addressed first. I think more studies should be conducted to try and determine what exactly is impairing language development. If they could narrow it down, then perhaps the memory problems and reading comprehension could improve.
Personally I have never spoken to someone with Down’s syndrome so I’ve never been able to see or hear how their language is affected. I can understand why it would be troublesome for one with Down’s syndrome to prosper when it comes to language development. Due to the fact that they are mentally challenged it’s tough for those with this disorder to remember certain rules of everyday speech. I think this is a disorder in which those who are affected may never be able to fully grasp the concept of their own language development; in return, I think it will take many more years of studies to maybe finally figure out a way to help them in the long run.
I've never been around anyone with Down's Syndrome. This is a syndrome in which ones language is impaired. I think compared to other syndromes, Down's to me would be the most impairing. The children seem to have no responses to communication what so ever. The comprehension they have is very little, with no communication. The fact that their memory is impaired makes it difficult to teach one or even communicate. I believe a lot of patience and time will help benefit the teachings of one with Down's Syndrome.
In elementary school, we had a classmate with Down's syndrome. He didn't talk as well as the rest of but I never realized that this could lead to memory problems. I'm not surely sure if the teachers realized this because instead of putting him in a special education class where he could get more help they gave him a volunteer to go to class with him. The volunteer would sit next to him and try to explain things to the best of their knowledge. I think that schools should be aware of the studies that include their studies. Do some schools cause more damage than help to students with special needs because they are unaware of problems.
I never really thought of the effect language development could have on memory. I just never associated these two things together. Now, I see the correlation. This correlation could explain problems for a lot of other disorders that have to do with impaired language development. The research done is not only benefical to those with Down's, it could help with understanding other disorders. This is why researching is so important. One never knows what information will be generated.
It is amazing to see the wonders of technology. Relating memory with normal language development is genius. I never would have guessed there was relationship between the two. Reading about the different strategies which were implemented in this study were interesting. The more advances we make in discovering the differences in different learning disabilities, the closer we get to finding cures, or stabilizers for that condition. I have seen various persons with Down’s syndrome who have accomplished many amazing things. That goes to show certain conditions are not impairments for some people.
All that I really know about Down's Syndrome is that it is a chromosome disorder... I think that Down's Syndrome has been so rare people don't know too much about it. I personally have never been around someone with this disease, therefore it is hard to see the kind of language problems they suffer from. I totally understand and think it makes complete since that reading and memorizing what you have read would help he or she with their language.
I have been around a few people with Down's syndrome and one of their main learning disabilities is the speech and memory. They would have a hard time remembering my name, and then they also called me completely different names and insist that that was my real name. This problem with speech and reading made they very emotional. They would be happy one second and then like a light switch u cant communicate with them. Down's Syndrome although well known, people dont take the time to learn how to deal with people that suffer from this disease. This is just a subject that will have to be dove into deeper
I personally did not know that one of the effects of Down's Syndrome was memory loss. I figured that their memory was affected by the disorder, but not distorted by it. Using methods to try to help retain the knowledge would be greatly benefitial to those students who are in special education. The tests that are being conducted are innovative and anyone with Down's Syndrome or closely associated with such individuals should be very pleased about this.
Personally I have been around a couple people who have downsyndrome. However I have never really researched it. I never knew that Language could be impaired, or you could have memory loss. I believe that more sutides should be done to try and understand why it impairs your language. Maybe it could be narrowed down to one specific thing.
The only interaction with people with DS is from when I was in high school. I knew it effected certain things but never really understood what. I have never had a conversation with anyone with DS so I was also unaware that speech and language are effected. Just like students with other syndromes I think more tests should be conducted. You can never have too much information on how to help others.
I know somebody with down syndrome and the speech problem is a huge obstacle for this person. He is a very caring person but has often been made fun of for his speech. Outside of the family he often times is not understood and made fun of. I think that people with down syndrome should work on their speech to help with their memory problems. I feel if people with down syndrome could speak more clearly not only would it help these people's memory problems but it would help with self esteem issues as well. Although this is a great goal for someone with down syndrome to understand speech and to become clearer with their own speech it is also very clear that there needs to be more in-depth research in order to help these people so that eventually an understanding of the language can be in their grasp.
Down's Syndrome seems to be the perfect storm of learning disabilities. By affecting critical language skills, other aspects such as memory and communication are impaired. I was unaware that those with Down's Syndrome suffered from so many difficulties stemming from the same problem. Without language skills, those with Down's Syndrome suffer setbacks that they can never fully overcome, but must work around to function in society. With all this knowledge, one has to rethink their preconceived notions of how 'disabled' people function in society.
I think the blog and video were extremely insightful. I feel strongly about the education of all students, especially those who may need extra help or have special problems. This information is valuable to the education community in general, insofar as understanding the different ways each student may need to learn.
Over the summer I plan on working with the mentally handicapped at a near by camp and this blog has helped me gain a little more knowledge about people affected by Down's Syndrome. I was not aware that there were so many children born with this mental disability today. Hopefully I will be able to take what was in this blog to camp and effectively use it towards helping not only the campers but myself in communicating with them.
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