Narrative language abilities in adults with Down syndrome: A remote online elicitation study using the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN)

Introduction This research represents, to the best of our knowledge, first attempt at assessing narrative retell remotely in people with Down syndrome and will provide valuable information on validity feasibility remote online assessment this population. Most language abilities has focused children adolescents, making adults an understudied The present seeks establish a baseline functioning for syndrome, as part larger aiming investigate possible changes associated aging emergence Alzheimer's disease Methods We recruited 13 adolescents young aged 15–33 years (mean age: 21), matched control group younger typically developing 4–10 6) verbal Mental Age (MA). Participants completed picture-based story activity from Multilingual Assessment Instrument Narratives (MAIN) series standardized background measures cognitive ability. Results Our analyses macrostructural indices performance, length lexical diversity. revealed that participants were outperformed by MA-matched controls structure comprehension, well No difference was found total number words, indicating groups produced comparable amounts speech despite differences grammar lexis. Discussion interpret results light previous performance syndrome. Recruitment data collection outcomes are discussed terms successful strategies improvements. conclude is feasible, although considerations should be made regards facilitating enrolment, task engagement. demonstrated ability engage experimenters over video chat able complete activities proposed mostly independently, minimal involvement required caregivers. Recommendations future studies involving intellectual disabilities discussed.