Early social communication

The development of early social-emotional interactions in the first year of life underpins later social, cognitive and language development. Understanding the ways in which these interactions may be affected when an infant has Down syndrome could inform intervention and the identification of additional emerging difficulties such as autism spectrum disorders.

Research

This study will follow a group of infants looking at imitation skills at 4 weeks of age and social-emotional communication skills at 3 months and 12 months of age. The study will carefully examine the facial and other communication cues given by babies with Down syndrome and compare them to typically developing children.

Investigators

• Kim Bard

Partners and advisors

• John Oates, Sue Buckley, Julie Hughes

Location

• University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.
• The Sarah Duffen Centre, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.

Education

Study results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific publications. Practice implications will be published in periodicals for families and professionals, including Down Syndrome Research and Practice and incorporated into freely available Down Syndrome Topics advice and information summaries and Down Syndrome Issues and Information books. Open Access articles and summaries will be provided for reproduction in the newsletters and journals of associations, support groups and professional societies. The study results will also be shared through the charity's training courses and its contributions to conferences in the UK and worldwide.

Impact

• Improved understanding of early social-emotional and communication development for infants with Down syndrome
• Improved understanding of the emergence of indicators for particular social-emotional difficulties, including autism spectrum disorders
• Guidance for families on strategies for supporting early social-emotional development and communication

Status

We are seeking funds for this project.

If you would like to support this work, please visit our giving site for details of how you can help or contact giving@downsed.org.

Related projects

• Research
  • Longitudinal study of influences on early development
  • Attachment and behaviour

  • Problem solving in young children

  • Effectiveness of responsive teaching

  • Parental concerns and experiences of support in the pre-school years

• Education

  • Down Syndrome Topics

  • Down Syndrome Research and Practice

  • Down Syndrome Issues and Information

  • Down Syndrome Online