Development Of Children With Down Syndrome Aged 6—12 Years In Cape Town

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the developmental functioning of children with Down syndrome aged 6–12 years attending five schools for special education in a prescribed area of Cape Town. The children were evaluated on the Griffiths Scales of Mental Development. The general quotients (GQ's) ranged from 19 to 66. Scores on the speech subtest were lower than on the personal/social, eye-hand co-ordination and performance subtests. Attendance at a preschool facility resulted in higher developmental scores when the children were tested during the school years. Marked differences in development were found between children at the different schools. The GQ's were higher in white and coloured than African children, but there was only a trend towards better performance by social class.