The constitution of representation in children with Down syndrome

Author(s)

Fabiola Custodio Flabiano

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2010-04-13

Examining board members

Suelly Cecilia Olivan Limongi; Rosangela Viana Andrade; Fernanda Dreux Miranda Fernandes; Célia Maria Giacheti; Sandra Cristina Fonseca Pires

• Advisor: Suelly Cecilia Olivan Limongi

Abstract

According to the Genetic Epistemology, language development is directly related to cognitive construction. Such relationship is clearly observed after the constitution of representation that allows one individual to express his or her thinking through oral language. The aim of the present thesis was to characterize the process of constitution of representation in children with Down syndrome (DS), as well as to investigate the relationship between gestures and the emergence of oral language. Ten children with DS and 15 typically developing (TD) children underwent monthly evaluations, in which cognition and expressive language were observed according to the Protocol for Expressive Language and Cognition Development Observation - revised version (PELCDO-r). The observation sessions were carried out during a 10- month period, starting from the session that subjects were placed at the beginning of the fourth phase of sensorimotor period. All sessions were recorded in video and data were transcribed in a specific protocol. In order to better discuss the results, this research was divided into two studies. The aim of Study I was to characterize the process followed by the children with DS until the constitution of the capacity of representation, in comparison to TD children. In Study II, for a more detailed analysis of this process, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between gestures and the emergence of oral language in children with DS in comparison to TD children, matched for mental age. Results revealed that children with DS presented slower rhythm of development regarding both cognition and expressive language. Besides that, qualitative differences were found between groups concerning the diversity of their productions. Diversity decreased as the complexity of expressive language and cognition development indicators increased for children with DS. These children also presented greater deficits on expressive language than on cognitive development, presenting more significant difficulties in the transitioning process from gesture-word combinations to two-word combinations, especially with regards to combinations involving only representational elements. These findings suggest that children with DS, besides presenting delays on expressive language and cognitive development, as reported in literature, may present specific difficulties in the development process of both areas, which must be considered during the speech-language therapeutic process, in order to enhance its effectiveness. (AU)