Down Syndrome: the benefit of a home programme for children with Down Syndrome as measured on the Griffiths Development Scales

Abstract

This study presents the developmental changes in 20 children with Down Syndrome after participating in an early intervention programme (START) for a minimum period of six months, using the Griffiths Development Scales as outcome measures. It is a descriptive 0 ex post facto study comparing developmental change (DQ) in these children with Down Syndrome who participated in the intervention programme with a non-participating or control group matched for age, sex and socio-economic status. All children with Down ° Syndrome were diagnosed clinically and serologically. The data was collected over ten sessions, and included a formal child assessment, using Griffiths,Development Scales, parent or caregivers ,interviews and questionnaires. Analysis indicated that me START programme was associated with a statistically significant improvement in thejdomain o f speech and hearing, and also with the onset of developmental milestones such as sitting, walking and speech: However, there was no statistically significant diffarencdin the ; developmental quotient (DQ) of the two groups. Th^ results were critically examineeiin, terms of methodological issues around acquisition di1 a pure control group pitinBthe ethical imperatives to provide treatment, leading to difficulties in sampli% for age ah d& ree of impairment. From the results it was concluded that the SenAcW have been due to caregiver variations althou^i the START programme may stdl has a role to play.