Pragmatics Strengths and Weaknesses in Children with Down syndrome

Lack of knowledge regarding proper language use (pragmatics) often causes communicationbreakdowns. Children with Down syndrome have problems communicating with others especiallyduring early school years. The present study aims to shed lights on the strengths and weaknessesof DS children regarding aspects of pragmatic communication. More specifically, this studypresents a brief review of their profiles in sub-areas of pragmatics such as intentionalcommunication in the prelinguistic and linguistic phase, nonverbal communication, inappropriateinitiation, understanding context, and scripted language. Gaining insights into areas of difficultycan help the development of early instruction and intervention routes during the early school years.Systematic training can then help these individuals to optimize their social capabilities and bettersocial functioning.

Keywords:

Down syndrome , pragmatic communication , intentional communication , early school years