Expert on Down Syndrome Speech & Language Offers Top Tips

Libby Kumin, PhD, CCC-SLP, Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Loyola University, Maryland, recipient of Global’s Award of Excellence in Education, and author of three books including the seminal Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, and its sequel Helping Children with Down Syndrome Communicate Better: Speech and Language Skills for Ages 6-14, shared three key areas of focus in developing communication skills in adults with Down syndrome as part of Global’s Spring 2016 Educational Series.

View Libby’s Presentation – English
View Libby’s Presentation – Spanish

View Additional Speaker Presentations

English:

Debbie Fiddler
RMDSA
High Pointe
Karen Riley
Beth Leon
Cathi Allen

Spanish:

Debbie Fiddler
RMDSA
High Pointe
Karen Riley
Beth Leon
Cathi Allen

Speech Intelligibility

Having clear speech intelligibility is important. The better speech intelligibility is, the more likely a listener will be able to understand what a person with Down syndrome is trying to say. There are many proven therapies and specifics that we can work on including the rate of speech and the sound system of speech, that can improve speech intelligibility in people with Down syndrome.

Social and Pragmatic Skills

We know that most people with Down syndrome are very sociable. They interact with you and shake your hand, and they want to talk with you. But what happens when the skills get more advanced—when we are talking about topics, and we are planning what to do and we are having discussions? Do people have difficulty at that level? They do. They have difficulty with beginning a conversation, with staying on topic, with asking for clarifications if they don’t understand something, and with providing clarification and repairs if somebody doesn’t understand what they’re saying. That is something you can work on with adults. Practicing social skills, especially in groups, works very successfully.

Technology and People with Down Syndrome

The expectation is that people with Down syndrome would have difficulty with technology because computers are advanced, and that’s not the reality of the situation. I’ve done seven articles with computer specialists about computer skills in people with Down syndrome—on the laptop, on the iPad, on the desktop, how they navigate, how they get information, how they do with CAPTCHAs, and how they do with passwords. We found that there is great success in using technology for people with Down syndrome.

In Closing, Dr. Kumin emphasizes her most important message:

“People can keep learning throughout their lifetime. Adults can work on communication, and adults can work on job skills. As far as we know, there is no plateauing. There is no end to communication development. People can keep developing. So keep trying, keep working, applaud the successes, try to find other options for the failures, and most of all, don’t give up!”