Speech Sounds Checklists and Record Sheets

Two checklists - the 44 single speech sounds (phonemes) that English speaking children master and the more difficult clusters and blends that are used in English.

Children with Down syndrome usually have considerable difficulty with speech sound production and delay in being able to say initial sounds will lead to delay in saying first words. Sound production can be encouraged from the babble stage in the first year of life and speech sounds can be specifically practised from 18 months of age or earlier. This checklist contains two lists, the 44 single speech sounds (phonemes) that English speaking children master and the more difficult clusters and blends that are used in English. The clusters are often not fully mastered until 6 years of age in typically developing children and later for children with Down syndrome, sometimes not until teenage years. The importance of speech sound work for children with Down syndrome cannot be over-emphasised - research shows that it is effective. At present, the majority of adolescents and adults are difficult to understand because of poor speech clarity and this affects their social lives and opportunities.These checklists are intended to be helpful for families and professionals. They are designed to be used in conjunction with books in the Down Syndrome Issues and Information series.

Down Syndrome Issues and Information is a major series of practical and informative books covering the full range of developmental, health and social issues relating to individuals with Down syndrome. The books have been written by many of the world's leading experts and are based on years of research and hands-on experience.