Digit span in individuals with Down syndrome and in typically developing children: Temporal aspects

This study explored factors influencing digit span performance in individua ls with Down syndrome. The Following questions were asked: Is there a defic it in the phonological loop, either in articulatory rehearsal (measured in speaking rate and recall latency] or in the passive store (measured in reca ll duration)? Is reduced auditory short-term memory associated with a langu age production deficit? Thirty five adolescents with trisomy 21 Down syndro me were compared to 35 mental-age-matched and 35 language-production-matche d controls. There was no group difference in speaking rate. The DS group ha d shorter digit spans than the MA controls. Language production level accou nted for substantial variance in digit span in individuals with Down syndro me.