Individuals with Down Syndrome

Dear Colleagues,

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have long been of great interest to researchers. DS is a genetic syndrome caused by abnormalities on chromosome 21. The IQ of individuals with DS generally ranges between 25 and 70, and most of them reach the mental age (MA) of a five- to seven-year-old. Most research has examined strengths and weaknesses in their cognitive profile and related aspects, such as their ability to manage activities of daily living that ensure their autonomy. This Special Issue concerns this line of research, addressing and expanding on new theoretical and methodological approaches to analyzing the characteristics of this population. In particular, their cognitive profile needs to be better examined in terms of basic processes and higher-level cognitive abilities, and their impact on everyday activities (e.g., academic learning, navigation). This can be done by considering groups of individuals with DS and comparing them with groups of individuals with typical or atypical development. We also need to shed light on individual profiles, however, given the DS population’s variable performance in cognitive tasks, as well as looking at their different trajectories of cognitive development with across-ages or longitudinal studies within DS groups, and by comparison with TD individuals. 

Dr. Chiara Meneghetti
Prof. Dr. Barbara Carretti
Dr. Silvia Lanfranchi
Dr. Enrico Toffalini
Guest Editors

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