Given that children with Down syndrome (DS) have language learning difficulties, concerns have been raised about the capacity of these children to acquire two (or more) languages. This research examines the language profiles of bilingual children with DS and typically developing (TD) children in comparison to monolinguals, with a view towards identifying the factors associated with language abilities within these populations. Four groups of children were recruited: Welsh-English bilinguals with DS (n=10), English monolinguals with DS (n=10), TD Welsh-English bilinguals (n=10) and TD English monolinguals (n=10). Children were individually matched on nonverbal cognitive ability (NVCA) to each child in the bilingual DS group and the four groups were matched on socioeconomic status and gender. Bilinguals were matched on current and lifetime exposure to Welsh and age of first exposure to their L2. Within DS and TD groups, chronological age was statistically controlled for. Language abilities were assessed via standardised assessments and specially designed tasks. Bilinguals were assessed in both of their languages. Results show no effect of language status on measures of expressive and receptive language abilities or phonological awareness. Language impairments were evident for both DS groups, particularly for expressive morphosyntax. Welsh receptive vocabulary scores of the bilinguals with DS were comparable to the TD bilinguals. Working memory, phonological awareness and chronological age were the strongest predictors of receptive language outcomes in both DS groups, explaining 90% of the variability. In conclusion, we report no adverse outcomes on language development for bilinguals with DS. To our knowledge, this is the first group study of bilingualism in children with DS within the UK. Findings align with and add to the growing body of literature that reports that bilingualism does not negatively impact the language development of children with developmental disabilities. Clinical and educational implications are discussed.

Rebecca Ward

Eirini Sanoudaki

Journal of Communication Disorders

JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 发表与言语、语言和听力障碍相关的主题的原创文章。鼓励作者向编辑提交实验或描述性调查报告（研究文章）、评论文章、教程或讨论论文，或给编辑的信函（“短通信”）。请注意，我们不接受案例研究，除非它们符合单一主题实验设计的原则。定期发布有关及时和临床相关主题的特刊。

The Journal of Communication Disorders publishes original research articles related to speech, language, and hearing disorders. Authors are encouraged to submit experimental or descriptive survey reports (research articles), review articles, tutorials, or discussion papers, as well as letters to the editor ("short communications"). Please note that we do not accept case studies unless they adhere to the principles of single-subject experimental design. Additionally, we regularly publish special issues on timely and clinically relevant topics.

《Journal of Communication Disorders》发表与言语、语言和听力障碍相关的原创研究文章。我们鼓励作者向编辑提交实验性或描述性调查报告（研究文章）、评论文章、教程或讨论论文，以及给编辑的信函（“短通信”）。请注意，我们不接受案例研究，除非它们符合单一主题实验设计的原则。此外，我们定期发布关于及时和临床相关主题的特刊。

Language profiles of Welsh-English bilingual children with Down syndrome

Findings align with and add to the growing body of literature that reports that bilingualism does not negatively impact the language development of children with developmental disabilities.

Category	Quartile
医学	3
医学, 听力学与言语病理学	3
医学, 语言学	3
医学, 康复医学	3

Language profiles of Welsh-English bilingual children with Down syndrome

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