A Case Study of Early Language Development of Children with Down Syndrome at TKLN SLB N Pembina Yogyakarta

Abstract

One of the early abilities that children must have as capital to be able to interact and communicate is the ability to speak and language. This ability is very important to support children's growth and development in the future. The purpose of this study is to see the extent of language and speech development in children with Down syndrome at an early age in TKLB SLB N Pembina Yogyakarta students. The research method used is a case study with research subjects consisting of 5 children with Down syndrome aged 7-8 years. Data collection techniques are observations made to children and interviews with parents. The focus of this research is to know the conditions, characteristics, abilities, advantages and obstacles in the development of speech and language of children with Down syndrome.  The results showed that the language development of students with Down syndrome was at the stage of being able to say one word, pulling hands or pointing to express their wishes, and had difficulty pronouncing vocabulary with correct articulation, sounding the last syllable only, sometimes even making unclear sounds without meaning that could not be understood.