Essential and Foundation Questions
Can good language skills help bring understanding of the world around them and an awareness of thier disability to children with Down Syndrome?
1. Are children with Down Syndrome aware of their disability?
2.Is there a part of language that is more difficult to learn? (receptive/expressive)
3. How does the Speech Language Pathologist approach therapy with these children.

The point I hope to make: Some children with Down Syndrome are aware of their disability and language is the key to bringing understanding of the world around them.
The genres I hope to use:
Webliography (author)
Poem (child's voice)
Power Point (child)
Journal Entry (parent)
Lesson Plan (SLP)
Tying them all together with a pamphlet about down syndrome(SLP )
Resouces

Resource: Academic Search Elite
Keyword: language abilities and Down Syndrome
Berglund, E., Eriksson, M., & Johansson, I. (2000, February). Parental reports of
Spoken language skills in children with down syndrome. Journal of Speech,
Language & Hearing Research, 44(1), 179-192. Retrieved July 14th, 2002, from
Academic Search Elite database.

Resource: Academic Search Elite
Keyword: language abilities and down syndrome
Miles, S., & Chapman, R. S. (2000, February). Narrative content as described
By individuals with down syndrome and typically developing children. Journal
of Speech , Language & Hearing Research, 45(1), 175-190. Retrieved July 14, 2002,
from Academic Search Elite database.

Resource: Academic Search Elite
Keyword: language abilities and down syndrome
Laws, G., Byrne, A., & Buckley, S. (2000, December). Language and memory
Development in children with down syndrome at mainstream schools and special
schools: A comparison. Educational Psychology, 20(4), 447-458. Retrieved July 14th,
2002, from Academic Search Elite database.

Resource: ERIC
Keyword: language and down syndrome
Chapman, R. S., Seung, H., Schwartz, S. E., & Bird, E. K. (2000, April). Predicting
Language production in children and adolescents with down syndrome: The role of
Comprehension. Jounal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research, 43, 340-350.
Retrieved July 14th, 2002, from ERIC database.

Resource: ERIC
Keyword: language and down syndrome
Kumin, L., Councill, C., & Goodman, M. (1999, March). Expressive vocabulary in
Young children with down syndrome: From research to treatment. The
Transdisciplinary Journal, 9(1), 87-100. Retrieved July 14th, 2002, from ERIC database.

My essential question: Can learning sign language assist a child with Down's Syndrome with language acquisition?
Foundation Questions: Do all Down's children have trouble with language acquisition? Are these children capable of learning sign lanuage? Would the families of these children be willing to learn sign language in order to communicate with the children? Is there an easier alternative to assisting these children with language acquisition?

Discuss

The topic I am interested in is Down's Syndrome. I have learned a little bit about this condition. I know that it causes mental retardation and that the levels of severity range from mild to severe and profound. I visited the Open Door school in Ironton when I was in high school and this disorder seemed to be the most prevelent, that's why it captured my attention. But, I don't know the learning capabilities of a child with Down's.
Essential Question: Can learning sign language assist a child with Down's Syndrome with language acqusition?

Discuss