Emerging social strengths in young children with Down syndrome

Many individuals with Down syndrome show relative strengths in social functioning throughout childhood, and they may "overuse" their social skills to compensate for other weaker domains of functioning (C. Kasari & S. Freeman, 2001; J. G. Wishart, 1996). To intervene in this area, it is important to document the emergence of this social strength, and characterize those specific skills that develop with such competence. In this study, we present data from the Bayley Scales of Infant Development comparing early developmental functioning in young children with Down syndrome (n = 23) and a mental age-matched comparison group of children with idiopathic developmental delays (n = 25) at 12 and 30 months. Results suggest that early orienting and engagement behaviors in young children with Down syndrome may emerge with greater competence than other areas of development (eg, emotion regulation, motor functioning). We also discuss the implications of this study regarding early intervention planning that targets the emerging phenotype in young children with Down syndrome.