"When it comes to acquiring communication skills, this is the premier reference guide for families of children with Down syndrome."
--NADS News, July 2003

"Once again, Libby Kumin has given parents of children with Down syndrome a great resource for encouraging speech development.

Early Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome is a revised and expanded version of Communication Skills in Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents published in 1994, also by Woodbine House.

The book specifically addresses communication development from birth to age six. It thoroughly explains the complexities the body goes through preparing to get out that oh-so-exciting first word and specifics on what parents and professionals can do to aid the process. Kumin explicitly details what to expect next, what not to expect and ideas for when further investigation for a complication such as sensory integration dysfunction, pervasive developmental disorder or childhood verbal apraxia might be warranted.

If I'd had this book when my daughter was one year old, I would have been able to identify that her eating and texture issues were not 'just Down syndrome,' and gotten her the help she needed sooner for her secondary diagnosis of sensory integration dysfunction.

As parents of young children with DS exploring communication ideas find their way through the 'alphabet soup' of CCC-SLP, IEPs, IDEA and more, they'll reach for this book again and again. It's thorough, practical and affirming."
--Down Syndrome News, Volume 26, Number 4

"With this update of Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome (1994), Woodbine House continues to uphold its high standards for special-needs texts. Focusing on infants through kindergartners (a promised later volume will discuss older children), Kumin (founder, Down Syndrome Ctr. for Excellence, Loyola Coll.) includes several new evaluation checklists and new sections on apraxia, articulation, and alternative communication options. Most helpful are the many home activities suggested throughout. Rather than offer more therapy-type activities, Kumin presents activities that a parent could easily incorporate into everyday routines like bathing or mealtime. As with other books from the publisher, both the reading list and resource section are worth the cost. Essential for most collections, even those that already own the earlier edition."
--Library Journal, September 1, 2003

"[P]uts 23 years of research and experience in working with people with Down syndrome into an easily readable guidebook for parents and caregivers about characteristics unique to Down syndrome and their impact on language development. It is highly recommended as an information resource by parents, caretakers, teachers, and anyone else charged with the responsibility of caring for a child with Down syndrome."
--Review of Disability Studies, Volume II, Issue 1, 2006