Why Being Bilingual Can Open Doors for Children with Developmental Disabilities, Not Close Them
By Rebecca Ward and Eirini Sanoudaki, The Conversation
Ward and Sanoudaki begin their article with the concern that families of children with Down syndrome have regarding their child’s language development if they are exposed to a second language since the development of their first language is already delayed.
While this may seem logical, the authors examined a study in Wales which indicated that “bilingualism may have a positive impact on these children’s social interactions and the formation of their identity.” In fact, the research confirms that bilingualism does not increase confusion or language issues for children who experience language delays because of developmental disabilities. In Wales, the development of skills in English of children who had Down syndrome was the same for bilingual children as it was for those who were only exposed to English. The authors found research suggesting that the benefits of bilingualism may also extend to children with autism.
You can read the article and find links to the research here.
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