Evaluation of preschool children with Down's syndrome in Cape Town using the Griffiths Scale of Mental Development

Abstract

Fifty-five preschool children with Down''s syndrome were assessed using the Griffiths Scale of Mental Development. They were all the children with Down''s syndrome living in Cape Town (South Africa) who spoke English or Afrikaans as their home language. There was a significant decrease in developmental quotient with increasing age and the hearing and speech subscore was lower than the other subscores. No significant associations were found between maternal age, sex, social class or race of the child and development. There was a negative association btween developmental quotient and the number of siblings. The additional stimulation of a playgroup or preschool centre was associated with improved developmental functioning when compared to the children cared for at home during the day.