Rhythm and time in the perception of Down's syndrome children

Author(s): Ching, E. Y.

Journal/Book: J Ment Defic Res. 1983; 27:

Abstract: This investigation attempts to examine a sense of rhythm in relation to levels of response to rhythmic stimuli in normal children and mentally handicapped children, particularly children with Down's syndrome. Ten Down's syndrome (average CA: 158 months, average MA: 43 months), ten other mentally handicapped children (average CA: 147 months, average MA: 44 months), and ten normal children (average CA: 50 months, average MA: 46 months) were required to listen to a rhythm and to shadow certain rhythms by tapping them out simultaneously with the stimuli. Three different rhythms of increasing complexity were used. After a practice session, responses were collected from subjects using a tapping device; these were recorded on a computer. Results obtained in all aspects of the tests were very similar in both normal and Down' s syndrome groups. The other mentally handicapped children were considerably weaker than the other two groups. It is suggested that at this level there is no difference between Down's syndrome and normal children of the same mental age in rhythmic discrimination. Differences lie between Down's syndrome and other mentally handicapped children and this comparison could account for the attribution to Down's syndrome children of a higher than normal level of musical skills.

Keyword(s): Down Syndrome|PX. Music|

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