Parents and Children Together (PACT-DS) is a language teaching programme that parents deliver with their child at home.
It is an adaptation of the PACT programme which was originally developed for typically developing children at risk of early language delays.
We have worked closely with a small group of (6) families to adapt PACT for parents/caregivers and young children with Down syndrome (PACT-DS).
This project will explore whether PACT-DS is appropriate and acceptable for parents/caregivers to deliver at home, and its potential usefulness in supporting children’s language and communication skills.
- We are looking for 30 children with Down syndrome aged 3-6 years and their parents/caregivers to take part.
- Families must live within 40 miles of the University of Manchester/Reading.
- Children should have a minimum expressive vocabulary of 10 words and/or signs and a cognitive level of 18 months (assessed by the research team using the Mullen Scale of Early Learning).
- Parents must be able to read and speak English.
Find out more
Or email Dr Kelly Burgoyne or Dr Kirstie Hartwell
Research team
Dr Kelly Burgoyne (The University of Manchester)
Kelly is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Education at the University of Manchester. She has experience in developing and evaluating interventions to support children’s reading and language development and is lead author on 2 educational interventions (Reading and Language Intervention for children with Down syndrome; Parents and Children Together).
Dr Kirstie Hartwell (The University of Manchester)
Kirstie is a postdoctoral Research Associate at The University of Manchester, with a background in Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy. She has significant experience working with young children and their families, and on research projects focused on children’s social and cognitive development.
Prof Vesna Stojanovik (University of Reading)
Vesna is a Professor of Clinical Linguistics at the University of Reading. Her research interests focus on language and communication development in children affected by genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome. She is particularly interested in interventions to improve child’s communication, educational and social outcomes.
Dr Emma Pagnamenta (University of Reading)
Emma is a Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Reading. She is a practicing Speech and Language Therapist with clinical experience of working with children with Down syndrome. Emma also has particular experience conducting research to develop and test interventions for young children with Down syndrome.
Dr Rebecca (Becky) Baxter (University of Reading)
Becky is a research assistant at The University of Reading with significant experience conducting research projects across speech, language and education issues associated with Down syndrome. She is also a speech and language therapist who specialises in Down syndrome, and in 2011 started the independent practice LETS Go!
