Grammatical abilities in German children with Down's Syndrome

唐氏综合症患者受遗传发育障碍影响，导致身体残疾和轻度至中度智力迟钝。语言障碍表现在不同的语法领域，尤其是形态语法方面。由于这些缺陷，唐氏综合症患者在日常生活中的沟通能力受到严重限制。对认知发展水平相似的受试者进行的研究（如年轻的未受损儿童或具有类似智力迟钝的人）提供的证据表明，在唐氏综合症受试者中观察到的语言障碍不能归因于他们有限的一般认知能力。在唐氏综合症中观察到的语言障碍似乎与认知限制无关，可能是综合症特有的。关于德语国家，迄今为止只有少数研究记录了唐氏综合症儿童的特定语言障碍和语言习得。这个项目的目的就是要缩小这个差距。我们想要调查患有唐氏综合症的儿童的德语语法的特定区域，这些儿童的心理年龄在3到4岁之间——这是德语形态语法的中心区域获得的时期，以找出在这一人群中可以观察到的具体缺陷。为这一问题提供答案，将有助于建立更好、更具体的唐氏综合症个体的言语和语言干预和康复，从而增加他们参与社会的机会。

Persons with Down Syndrome are affected by a genetic developmental disorder that leads to physical disabilities and mild to moderate mental retardation. Language impairments are observed in different grammatical areas, in particular in morphosyntax. Due to these impairments persons with Down Syndrome are severely restricted in their ability to communicate in everyday life. Studies with subjects at a similar level of cognitive development (like younger unimpaired children or persons with a comparable mental retardation) provide evidence that the observed language impairments in subjects with Down Syndrome cannot be attributed to their restricted general cognitive abilities. It rather seems to be the case that the language impairments observed in Down Syndrome are not related to the cognitive limitations and might be syndrome-specific. With respect to German-speaking countries, there are to date only a few studies documenting specific language impairments and language acquisition in children with Down Syndrome. The aim of this project is to close this gap. We want to investigate selected areas of German grammar in children with Down Syndrome with a mental age between three and four years - the period during which central areas of German morphosyntax are acquired, to find out which specific deficits can be observed in this population. Providing an answer to this question will help to establish a better and more specific speech and language intervention and rehabilitation of individuals with Down Syndrome, thus enhancing their chances of social participation.