Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Lexical Gain in Children With Down Syndrome

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Down Syndrome
• Interventions: Behavioral: speech-language therapy with AAC intervention

• Registration Number: NCT00689988
• Lead Sponsor: University of Sao Paulo

Brief Summary

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have language development particularities that have negative effects in the communication capacity. By this way, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is indicated to this population. The aim of this study was to verify the AAC impact in the lexical gain of children with DS.

Detailed Description

Five children with DS, with the same cognitive level, participated in this study. Longitudinal follow-up of twelve months of speech-language therapy with AAC use was undertaken. A lexical evaluation was done at the beginning and the end of this follow-up. Correct responses in the lexical evaluation were increased, but not necessarily in the spoken modality. The comparisons showed significant results in use of substitutions processes, and to no-answers.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-07
• Primary Completion: 2007-10
• Status Verified: 2008-06
• Study Completion: 2008-06
• Study First Submitted: 2008-06-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-06-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2008-06-03
• Study First Posted: 2008-06-04
• Last Update Posted: 2008-06-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 5

Inclusion Criteria

• genetic diagnosis of Down syndrome
• be at the preoperational period
• good health conditions
• expressive language impairment (communication by vocal and gestures, predominantly)

Exclusion Criteria

• presence of major malformations
• presence of another genetic syndrome
• severe neonatal asphyxia, hearing impairment or visual

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
SG	speech-language therapy with AAC intervention	Study Group: five children with Down syndrome submitted to speech-language intervention with AAC intervention

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Performance on a initial and final lexical assessments, after 12 months of speech-language therapy	12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Performance on longitudinal follow-up of twelve months of speech-language therapy with AAC use	12 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Sao Paulo - School of Medicine - Department of Physiotherapy, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Occupational Therapy; 🇧🇷 São Paulo, SP, Brazil