Expanding Communication Access in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome
Children and teens with Down syndrome often experience challenges in speech clarity, expressive language, and social communication—skills that are critical for independence and connection. Research shows that more than 90% of individuals with Down syndrome experience some level of speech and language delay, with expressive language typically more affected than receptive language.
Early and consistent speech-language intervention can make a profound difference in communication outcomes across the lifespan. To support families, educators, and therapists, we’ve compiled a collection of high-quality resources—including organizations, research articles, books, podcasts, and videos—focused on speech-language development specifically for youth with Down syndrome. We hope you’ll consider sharing these tools on your platform to help expand access to essential, evidence-based support.
Organizations
National Down Syndrome Congress
U.S. nonprofit offers family education, advocacy, speech‑language therapy resources and referral links to programs across the lifespan including teen support.
National Down Syndrome Society
Connects families to over 250 local Down syndrome organizations offering speech, communication, AAC, sibling support, therapy referrals and community events.
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC)
Global nonprofit advancing AAC knowledge, research and policy to support children with complex communication needs including Down syndrome; parent and professional resources and conferences.
Down Syndrome Resource Foundation (Speech and Language Therapy) –
Canadian centre providing individualized speech and language therapy, interdisciplinary evaluation, evidence‑based strategies and family guidance tailored for children and teens with Down syndrome.
The Hanen Centre
Canadian charity offering parent‑training programs, workshops and evidence‑based resources to build language, social and literacy skills in children with speech delays, including Down syndrome.
Research
Developing the Speech and Language Skills of Teenagers with Down Syndrome – Down Syndrome Education International
Reports outcomes from a year‑long language‑teaching intervention with twelve teens with Down syndrome, showing individual improvements in structure and expressive language.
Language Intervention in Down Syndrome: A Systematic Literature Review – International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Analyzes 18 studies from 2000–2020, concluding language interventions significantly improve oral, written, phonological, and communicative abilities in children with Down syndrome.
Speech Therapy in Adolescents with Down Syndrome: In Pursuit of Communication as a Fundamental Human Right – International Journal of Disability, Development and Education
A case study comparing three distinct speech interventions in one adolescent, demonstrating variable effectiveness and the importance of personalized treatment.
Speech and Language Therapy for Children with Down Syndrome – Down Syndrome News and Update
Guidelines for therapists working with primary‑ and secondary‑school aged children, emphasizing speech clarity, grammatical skills, and embedding therapy in daily routines.
Language Skills of Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome – Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
Cross‑sectional study of 47 youth aged 5–20 finds reduced MLU, vocabulary diversity, and poorer intelligibility compared to mental‑age matched peers.
Children with Down Syndrome Can Benefit from Language Interventions – Journal of Communication Disorders
Systematic review showing positive effects of targeted language instruction on comprehension, morphology, syntax, and active lexicon in school‑aged children.
Speech and Motor Speech Disorders and Intelligibility in Adolescents with Down Syndrome – PMC (US National Library of Medicine)
Reviews intelligibility challenges in Down syndrome youth, advocating sustained therapy focusing on articulation and speech motor skills.
Association Between Speech Fluency Difficulties and Language Skills in Children with Down Syndrome – Brain Sciences (MDPI)
Cross‑sectional survey of six‑year‑olds shows stuttering and fluency issues occur more often in Down syndrome and correlate inversely with language level.
Improving the Speech and Language Skills of Children and Teenagers with Down Syndrome – Down Syndrome News and Update
A practical review by Buckley teaching evidence‑based strategies for everyday interactions enhancing speech clarity, grammatical learning, and communication opportunities.
Evidence‑Based Decision‑Making in the Treatment of Speech and Language Needs in Down Syndrome – SAGE Journals
Discusses best practice principles and evidence‑based approaches extending speech‑language therapy beyond early childhood into adolescence and adulthood.
Books
Speech and Language Intervention in Down Syndrome
Written by leading experts, this evidence‑based guide covers speech, pragmatics, literacy, AAC, and intervention strategies across the lifespan—including adolescence—for individuals with Down syndrome.
Speech & Language Development & Intervention in Down Syndrome & Fragile X
A professional textbook detailing assessment and customized intervention across childhood and adolescence for Down syndrome (and Fragile X), featuring expert‑contributed chapters on speech clarity and grammar.
Helping Children with Down Syndrome Communicate Better
Targeted to ages 6–14, this practical guide offers strategies to improve clarity, vocabulary, sentence structure, and social communication in school and everyday settings.
Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome
Designed for parents and professionals working with young children, this guide provides foundational communication strategies, early vocabulary and gesture development.
Speech and Language Development for Infants with Down Syndrome
A parent‑friendly ebook (ages 0–5) offering activities, signing and reading techniques, and guidance on first words through early sentences and communication routines.
Multimodal AAC for Individuals with Down Syndrome
Explores interdisciplinary AAC strategies to support speech, language, and literacy for individuals across settings—from home to healthcare and transitions.
Speech and Language Development for Children with Down Syndrome (5–11 years)
Mid‑childhood ebook focusing on speech clarity, grammar, vocabulary, and linking communication goals to literacy in everyday activities.
Speech and Language Development for Individuals with Down Syndrome – An Overview
A research‑based ebook reviewing typical developmental trajectories and effective intervention strategies across the lifespan for Down syndrome.
Exploring Fluency in Down Syndrome
Addresses stuttering and dysfluency in individuals with Down syndrome; explains speech challenges and provides therapeutic approaches for intelligibility and confidence (lumindidsc.org).
Educating Learners with Down Syndrome: Research, Theory and Practice
Though broader educational focus, this includes communication and language instruction methods for children and adolescents with Down syndrome in inclusive settings.
Podcasts
The LowDOWN Podcast – “Why Doesn’t My Kid Talk Yet?” (Apple & Spotify)
Marla Folden explores strategies for supporting emerging speech and language in young children with Down syndrome—from early gesture, signing, phonics to expressive vocabulary development.
The LowDOWN Podcast – “Express Yourself: AAC” (Apple & Spotify)
A Season 4 discussion on augmentative and alternative communication: AAC tools, implementation strategies and how it complements speech therapy for children and teens with Down syndrome.
The LowDOWN Podcast – “Crystal Clear: Fluency and Stuttering” (Apple & Spotify)
Kate Dixon addresses fluency challenges and stuttering in people with Down syndrome, providing practical therapy tips to improve speech clarity and confidence.
Down Syndrome Center Podcast #167 – “TalkTools (with Heather Vukelich)” (Apple Podcasts)
Heather Vukelich discusses TalkTools techniques to support feeding, oral motor strength, and articulation clarity specifically tailored for individuals with Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Center Podcast #49 – “Early Speech, Language, and Communication (Dr. Libby Kumin)” (Apple Podcasts)
Dr. Kumin shares insight on foundational language development, articulation, and early speech milestones for young children with Down syndrome.
The LowDOWN Podcast – “Early and Higher Level Communication Skills” (Apple & Spotify)
Speech‑language therapist Jillian Baldwin explains how to support both basic and advanced communication skills in children with Down syndrome across developmental stages.
Down Syndrome Center Podcast – “Caring for Adolescents with Down Syndrome” (Spotify & Apple)
Covers comprehensive care including speech therapy considerations for teens, developmental milestones, social communication skills and transitioning support.
The SENDcast – “Speech and Language in Children with Down Syndrome” (Spotify & Apple)
Delivered by the UK’s SENDcast, Angharad Welch covers communication interactions, speech‑language needs and classroom supports for children with Down syndrome.
The LowDOWN Podcast – “Baby Talk: Down Syndrome Infant Development” (Apple & Spotify)
Episode on infant speech and early language growth, focusing on feeding, early babble, and parent-child communication strategies in infants with Down syndrome.
The LowDOWN Podcast – “Sign of the Times: Benefits of Sign Language” (Apple & Spotify)
Discusses how sign language supports early communication and language development in young children with Down syndrome before speech emerges.
Videos
Understanding and Expression of Language in Down Syndrome
Explores how children with Down syndrome develop understanding and expression of language, featuring therapist commentary and family interviews on early language milestones and communication approaches.
Speech and Language Therapy Support for Children and Young People with Down Syndrome
Overview from a UK speech therapist detailing how communication skills can be supported through early intervention, structured therapy, and classroom collaboration for children and teens with Down syndrome.
Speech & Language Therapy Sessions for Children with Down Syndrome
Real footage from speech sessions showing articulation drills, motor speech practice, and interaction techniques used with children with Down syndrome in a therapeutic setting.
Speech & Language Therapy for Children with Down Syndrome (DSRF Canada)
Canadian experts share speech-language milestones and strategies to improve vocabulary, sentence structure, and pragmatic language in young learners with Down syndrome.
Speech and Language Therapy for Children with Down Syndrome (PowerShop)
Focuses on articulation and speech clarity methods tailored for children with Down syndrome; provides therapy activity examples and therapist insights.
Speak Up: How to Improve Speech Clarity for Those with Down Syndrome
Speech therapist Jennifer Gray explains effective speech clarity techniques, including oral motor exercises and cueing strategies for adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome.
Speech Therapy for Children with Down Syndrome | Live at Five Segment
A feature highlighting how speech therapy supports school-aged children with Down syndrome in both academic and home settings through group interaction and targeted support.
Speech Therapy for Children With Down Syndrome | A Lil Extra Lucky
Follows a child’s speech session, showing techniques to promote verbal skills and expressive language while demonstrating how therapists adapt methods to keep it fun and engaging.
Benefits of Down Syndrome Speech Therapy
Describes how speech therapy helps improve social engagement, confidence, and intelligibility in children and teens with Down syndrome through consistent practice and supportive environments.
Speech Therapy at Home for Down Syndrome
A parent-led tutorial sharing simple speech exercises to do at home when therapy access is limited. Includes articulation modeling, visual prompts, and encouragement techniques.
AAC Resources
DSR Foundation – AAC Overview
Explains low‑tech and high‑tech AAC use with Down syndrome, addressing intelligibility challenges and how tools like symbol boards and speech devices enhance expressive and receptive language.
Down Syndrome Communication Alliance – Communication Services
Offers a lending library of AAC devices, customization support, consultations, and training for families and schools to empower communication for youth with Down syndrome.
OHSU – Teaching Preschoolers with Down Syndrome Using AAC
Study on combining AAC modeling and dialogic reading to boost vocabulary, engagement, and communication in preschoolers with Down syndrome in small‑group sessions.
Kid Therapy – Benefits of AAC for Down Syndrome
Highlights how AAC supports language development, increases confidence, encourages social use, and complements speech therapy in Down syndrome communication.
Speech And Language Kids – Ultimate AAC Resource Page
Comprehensive guide to low-, mid- and high‑tech AAC tools, apps and printable starter kits designed for children with communication delays including Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Research & Practice – Using AAC with Infants & Young Children
Research article showing the use of signing (Makaton) and pictograph systems like COMPIC with toddlers with Down syndrome supports early communication development.
Brookes Publishing – Multimodal AAC for Individuals with Down Syndrome (Book summary)
Expert resource describing how interdisciplinary, multimodal AAC strategies (signs, symbols, devices) enhance speech, language, literacy, and participation across the lifespan.
Makaton Language Programme
Makaton combines speech, key signs, and symbols to support language comprehension and expression in children with Down syndrome and learning disabilities.
Signalong Key‑Word Signing
Signalong is a structured key‑word signing system used alongside speech to support communication development in youth with Down syndrome and cognitive delays.
Picture Communication Symbols (PCS)
PCS symbols provide highly transparent visual icons used in both low‑ and high‑tech AAC, facilitating communication, vocabulary building, and sentence formation for learners with Down syndrome.