Language and verbal short-term memory skills in children with Down syndrome: A meta-analytic review

This study presents a meta-analytic review of language and verbal short-term memory skills in children with Down syndrome. The study examines the profile of strengths and weaknesses in children with Down syndrome compared to typically developing children matched for nonverbal mental age. The findings show that children with Down syndrome have broad language deficits (that are not restricted to measures of expressive language) and associated verbal short-term memory deficits. The profile of language skills in children with Down syndrome shows similarities to that seen in children with Specific Language Impairment. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

► A meta-analysis of language and verbal short-term memory is presented. ► We examine the language profile of children with Down syndrome. ► A control group of typically developing children matched for nonverbal mental age is included. ► The groups had similar receptive vocabulary level. ► The group of children with Down syndrome had weaker skills in expressive vocabulary, receptive grammar and verbal short term memory.