Supporting Your Teen with Down Syndrome as They Transition to Adulthood
Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
As teens with Down syndrome grow into young adults, communication skills become even more critical to their quality of life. Strong speech and language skills will help them engage more fully with others, whether it’s at home, at work, or within their community. Practicing these skills at home can help your child better communicate in daily life and reach more independence.
Speech therapy is often crucial for children with Down syndrome, and therapy should continue through the teen years and young adulthood. Speech therapy for Down syndrome can focus on a variety of goals, depending on the person’s needs. These goals might include improving speech clarity, language comprehension and expression, or social communication skills.
Let’s look at how family members can support teens with Down syndrome as they move toward adulthood and more independence.
How does Down syndrome affect speech and language?
If you have a loved one with Down syndrome, you probably know their own unique communication abilities like the back of your hand. However, here’s a quick overview of how speech therapy can help people with Down syndrome strengthen their communication skills.
Speech: Speech sound production can be challenging for those with Down syndrome. It may be difficult for them to speak clearly. Some sounds that may be more challenging include lingua-alveolar phonemes like /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/, /s/, and /z/. The person may also have trouble with vowel sounds because of differences with their mouth or tongue.
Language: Expressive or receptive language skills may also be an area of focus. Language skills include things like answering questions, communicating ideas, using a variety of vocabulary words, telling stories, and understanding how to use grammar. People with Down syndrome may have difficulty understanding spoken language, as well. They may need more time and practice to develop language abilities overall.
Social communication: Learning to use language in everyday social situations can be challenging for people with Down syndrome. Speech therapy can target skills like asking for help when needed, carrying on a conversation following typical social rules, or repairing communication breakdowns.
7 ways to help your teen with Down syndrome with their speech and language skills
No matter what your child’s specific needs are, consistent practice is important as they get older and approach adulthood. Especially as your child transitions out of school, the structure and consistency of home routines becomes even more important.
Some young adults with Down syndrome may go on to get a job, volunteer, or interact in their community in other ways. Daily, consistent practice will help reinforce their communication skills and prepare them to be more independent. It will also lower the risk of regression, or losing any of the skills they’ve gained. (Think of the saying “Use it or lose it.”)
Here’s how to help your teen with Down syndrome with their communication as they transition to adulthood.
1 Encourage your child to communicate for themselves
Help your child use all the communication tools available to them. This could include verbal speech, gestures, body language, or an AAC device. Encourage them to express themselves in different situations to build their skills and confidence. For example, if they’re practicing using more detailed speech or better grammar, hold them to that! They have the ability; now they just need to practice.
2 Model good communication yourself
You’re likely already doing this. But remember to use clear speech, simple language, and appropriate body language when talking to your loved one. This gives them an example to follow and helps reinforce the skills they’re working on in therapy.
3 Involve everyone in the home
Structure and consistency across all environments are key for people with Down syndrome. Make sure that family members and caregivers are on the same page and use the same communication techniques with your child. For example, if your child is supposed to use their AAC device everywhere they go, then all family members should make sure that your child has their device and uses it when they are with them.
4 Try structured practice in the community
One great way to help your teen with Down syndrome build confidence and independence is by practicing in the community. Sit down together and choose an activity that they can complete on their own. Examples could be ordering food at a restaurant, asking for help at the grocery store, or paying for items. Let them know you’ll be there as a “safety net,” watching from the background and ready to step in if needed for safety. However, they will be in charge of the activity. This gives them the chance to practice important life skills while knowing they have support close by.
5 Promote social interaction
Give your child lots of chances to interact with others. This could mean joining social groups, getting involved in community activities, or working at a job. Socializing helps people with Down syndrome practice communication skills in real-life situations, building their independence and confidence. By giving your child opportunities to practice communication and interact with others, you can make a big difference in their overall quality of life.
6 Set clear communication expectations for therapy and medical appointments
Talk with your young adult about who will handle communication for therapy and medical appointments. This might include deciding whether you or your child will be responsible for making or answering phone calls, emails, or text messages from healthcare providers. This not only creates structure, but also gives your loved one the chance to practice their communication skills in the real world.
7 Advocate for continued speech therapy
It’s important for people who need speech therapy to receive those services for as long as possible. Once school ends, young adults with Down syndrome might still need speech therapy. Work with their therapist to explore options for ongoing therapy, either privately or through adult services. Speech therapy can continue to support your child’s articulation, social communication, and work-related language skills.
Find a speech therapist for your child with Down syndrome
If you think your child with Down syndrome might benefit from starting or returning to speech therapy, it’s important to start that process soon. You can schedule a free consultation call with an Expressable specialist to discuss your child’s needs. It’s never too late to benefit from speech therapy! A speech therapist can help your child gain the communication skills they need as they transition to adulthood and more independence.
