Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals [With CDROM]

by Andreas SchÃtzle

Overview

Newly revised and updated, this compassionate and authoritative guide is based on Libby Kumin's more than thirty years experience working with children and adolescents with Down syndrome and their families. Dr. Kumin draws on her vast experience to show parents how they can support and encourage their child's speech and language development from birth to age 6 (or when a child can form 2- to 3- word sentences). Parents and teachers learn how to work through characteristic challenges, including hearing loss, intelligibility issues, apraxia (difficulty planning oral-motor movements), or a slower pace of development. Families soon see that many children with Down syndrome are natural and willing communicators.

In a warm and conversational style, the author shares her professional expertise in parent-friendly terms. She uses specific examples of difficulties and successes to illustrate the concepts behind speech and language development, and includes the latest research supporting current early intervention and preschool approaches that can be used at home and in schools.

This third edition of Early Communication Skills features expanded information on the needs of children with apraxia, dual diagnosis of autism and Down syndrome, and updated terminology and information on special education law. An expanded chapter explains how technology and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can help with speech and language, foster communication, and provide inexpensive transitional language systems. Dozens of forms are now included on a CD-ROM to be used for assessment, developing treatment plans, and keeping detailed records of progress. Teachers, speech-language pathologists, and parents will love the convenience of printing multiple copies of forms and organizing information for IEP meetings or periodic evaluations.

For helping older children, turn to the sequel, Helping Children with Down Syndrome Communicate Better

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781606130667
Publisher:	Woodbine House
Publication date:	06/13/2012
Pages:	391
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Libby Kumin is a professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology at Loyola University in Maryland. She is the author of several books, chapters, a DVD, and many research articles on communication skills in infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents with Down syndrome. She is well known as a speaker at professional and parent conferences across the country.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgements	ix
	Introduction	xi
Chapter 1	Language, Speech, and Communication	1
Chapter 2	Speech and Language Characteristics of Children with Down Syndrome	9
Chapter 3	Busy Baby--Busy Parents	29
Chapter 4	Before the First Word--Precursors to Language	39
Chapter 5	The One-Word Stage	65
Chapter 6	The Two- and Three-Word Stages	81
Chapter 7	The Nuts and Bolts of Language Comprehension	93
Chapter 8	Speech and Intelligibility Problems	113
Chapter 9	Articulation and Phonology: Learning the Sounds of the Language	141
Chapter 10	Pragmatics: Communication in Action	171
Chapter 11	Communicating without Speech	191
Chapter 12	Understanding Speech and Language Evaluation	211
Chapter 13	Understanding Speech and Language Treatment	247
Chapter 14	Reading, Literacy, and Language	277
Chapter 15	School and Community Issues	293
Chapter 16	Concluding Thoughts	309
	Appendices
	Comprehensive Communication Evaluation Guidelines for Children with Down Syndrome	314
	Speech & Language Referral Guidelines for Pediatricians	316
	Comprehensive Speech & Language Treatment: Guidelines for Children with Down Syndrome from Birth to Six Years	321
	Early Intervention Speech & Language Treatment Planning Form	322
	Speech & Language Treatment Planning Form: First Word to Age 6	323
	Speech Intelligibility Evaluation Summary Form for Children with Down Syndrome	324
	Speech Intelligibility Treatment Program Plan for Children with Down Syndrome	326
	Resource Guide	327
	References and Suggested Reading	341
	Children's Books for Language Stimulation	353
	Index	359

Editorial Reviews

Kumin provides a wealth of research on proven language acquisition strategies, but it's her warmth and insight that makes the book truly stand out. Although her work can (and should) be used by professionals, she speaks most directly to parents, and does an admirable job of providing both intellectual rigor and emotional support.

She gently emphasizes that there are many sensory, perceptual, physical, and cognitive problems that can occur with Down syndrome, each affecting the development of communication skills. Addressing a child's unique challenges is crucial to overcoming these issues as much as possible, and Kumin acts as expert advisor to parents, giving them encouragement and comfort in addition to practical strategies. The result is an authoritative, friendly guide that should prove to be a well-loved resource for anyone who wants to help children with Down syndrome be heard and understood.

ForeWord Reviews

With this update of Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome (1994), Woodbine House continues to uphold its high standards for special-needs texts. Focusing on infants through kindergartners (a promised later volume will discuss older children), Kumin (founder, Down Syndrome Ctr. for Excellence, Loyola Coll.) includes several new evaluation checklists and new sections on apraxia, articulation, and alternative communication options. Most helpful are the many home activities suggested throughout. Rather than offer more therapy-type activities, Kumin presents activities that a parent could easily incorporate into everyday routines like bathing or mealtime. As with other books from the publisher, both the reading list and the resource section are worth the cost. Essential for most collections, even those that already own the earlier edition.-KellyJo Houtz Griffin, Eatonville, WA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal