Spatial abilities in Down syndrome: characterising the profile of spatial skills and models of spatial development

Evidence shows that spatial interventions are successful in typical development. However, the potential of spatial interventions for Down syndrome (DS) populations is hindered by the lack of literature on spatial skills and their development in this group. This paper investigates (a) the profile of strengths and weaknesses in spatial abilities, and (b) the developmental trajectories of spatial skills, in DS relative to typical development. Participants included 33 individuals with DS (58% male; 10-35 years) and 131 typically developing (TD) children (53% male; 4-11 years) who completed spatial tasks assessing two spatial sub-domains. Despite weaknesses in spatial skill, the DS spatial profile aligned closely with that of mental-age matched TD children, indicative of delated but not atypical development. Although trajectories revealed a similar developmental onset of both intrinsic and extrinsic spatial skills, there were slower rates of spatial development thereafter for those with DS, relative to TD children. Collectively, this slower, but not atypical, development indicates potential for improving spatial skills through intervention.