Attitudes Towards Bilingualism: Insights From Parents of Children With Down Syndrome.

57 parents were analysed from 81 recruited, so the final sample was smaller than recruited. Recruitment through Down syndrome organisations, schools and social media may have attracted families more interested in bilingualism or more positive about it. The sample may have been more highly educated than the general population, although this was not measured. Findings rely on retrospective parental recall and self-rated success, not direct language measurement or a controlled comparison of bilingual and monolingual children. Only families who had chosen or considered bilingualism were included, so families who decided against it may be under-represented. Country comparisons used small groups, especially outside England and Wales, so differences between Wales, England, Switzerland and other locations were hard to interpret.

Do not conclude that bilingualism improves language outcomes in Down syndrome. The paper reports parents' choices, concerns and advice, not a controlled comparison of bilingual and monolingual children.