Profiles of communication disorder in children with velocardiofacial syndrome: Comparison to children with Down syndrome

Purpose: To describe communication profiles in children with velocardiofaci al syndrome (VCFS) compared with children with Down syndrome. Methods: Four children with VCFS and four children with Down syndrome underwent cognitiv e and speech and language assessment. Results: Communication profiles of ch ildren with Down syndrome showed a flat profile, indicating all measures we re similar and delayed relative to chronological age. Children with VCFS sh owed vocabulary, pattern of sound types, and Mean Babbling Length below cog nitive and other language ages. Conclusion: Communication profiles of child ren with VCFS differed qualitatively and quantitatively from children with Down syndrome and support the hypothesis that some children with VCFS prese nt with a profile of communication impairment that may be distinctive to th e syndrome.