Developmental Dyscalculia and Down Syndrome: Indicative Evidence

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the hypothesis that developmental dyscalculia is part of the behavioural phenotype of Down syndrome. One hundred and fifty-one individuals with Down syndrome across three age groups contributed data. These age groups were: 6–8 years (n = 41); 13–15 years (n = 70); and 20–22 years (n = 40). Data were collected using the Stanford-Binet (Fourth Edition) and age equivalent scores on the Pattern Analysis and Quantitative subscales were used in the analyses. A repeated measure ANOVA showed a significant difference between performances on the two subtests with an interaction with age group. While performance on Pattern Analysis was better than on Quantitative for all groups the difference was most marked for the oldest group. Approximately 66% of the participants had a higher age equivalent score on the Pattern Analysis subscale than on the Quantitative subscale. It appears to be plausible that developmental dyscalculia contributes to the behavioural phenotype of Down syndrome and further investigation of this proposition is warranted.

KEYWORDS:

• Arithmetic
• behavioural phenotype
• developmental dyscalculia
• Down syndrome
• mathematics
• non-verbal ability
• numeracy
• pattern analysis

Acknowledgments

The research reported here would not have been possible without the commitment of the families of the children with Down syndrome involved in the Down Syndrome Research Programme at the [removed for blind review] and the ongoing commitment of the individuals with Down syndrome as they have become adults. The Down Syndrome Research Programme is supported by the Michael Cameron Fund, and we acknowledge and thank the fund for their support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Michael Cameron Fund and is part of the Down Syndrome Research Program at The University of Queensland.