contribution of ICTs to the Down Syndrome Children’s Language and Cognitive Development

Abstract

Down syndrome is considered to be one of the most prevalent genetic causes of intellectual disability, derived from chromosomal disorder, which accounts for dysfunctions in many organs and has a characteristic phenotype, which consists of physical and behavioral features. Many studies have shown that language is one of the most impaired areas of function in Down syndrome and perhaps, the highest barrier for their substantial inclusion into formal education and community. The aim of this paper is to investigate the specific features of this linguistic phenotype, presenting the strengths and weaknesses of their language, as well as the factors that contribute to their formation, compared to normally developing children. In addition, it scopes to highlight the role of educational mobile apps, as innovative and interactive tools for the developmental learning of Down syndrome children. The results of the research indicate that their language goes through the same, with typical development sequences, but progressively erases a slowing trajectory and results in lower performance. However, the use of ICT tools can, significantly, improve language, literacy and sort-term memory skills, but also stimulate their cognitive and fine mobile functioning, in order to upgrade their quality of life.

Quality of life in adults with Down syndrome: A mixed methods systematic review

“…Further studies need to investigate the differences between self-reported and proxy reported QoL in this population. This review encourages the use of innovative technology tools such as the Smart Angel system, which uses a cloud-based support and monitoring system [ 129 , 130 ] to obtain self-reported QoL data in adults with DS, as this would encourage inclusion in society.…”