PURPOSE: to check the emergence of isolated and combined symbolic schemes as well as their respective subtypes in 20 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm children, 20 children with Down syndrome (DS), and 20 typically developing (TD) children. METHODS: all subjects were followed up monthly during a six-month period, starting from the initial assessment, when they were placed at the fifth phase of the sensorimotor period, using the Protocol for Expressive Language and Cognitive Development Observation - reviewed version (PELCDO-r). Data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS: results revealed that isolated and combined symbolic schemes emerged in a similar way in all groups, although DS and VLBW preterm children showed slower rhythm of development when compared to TD children. The qualitative analysis, concerning the analysis of symbolic schemes’ diversity and complexity showed that VLBW preterm children showed poorer performance when compared to children with DS and TD children, also showing specific difficulties as for the use of symbolic schemes applied to non-figurative objects, that is, concerning the representation’s construction by means of an arbitrary significant. CONCLUSION: these data reinforce the importance of following the emergence and development of isolated and combined symbolic schemes in these children, with the objective of monitoring and stimulating their development, aiming to minimize the effects of cognitive deficits and favor language development.
Down Syndrome; Infant; Premature; Cognition; Child Development; Child
