"Kumin provides a wealth of research on proven language acquisition strategies, but it's her warmth and insight that makes the book truly stand out. Although her work can (and should) be used by professionals, she speaks most directly to parents, and does an admirable job of providing both intellectual rigor and emotional support.

She gently emphasizes that there are many sensory, perceptual, physical, and cognitive problems that can occur with Down syndrome, each affecting the development of communication skills. Addressing a child's unique challenges is crucial to overcoming these issues as much as possible, and Kumin acts as expert advisor to parents, giving them encouragement and comfort in addition to practical strategies. The result is an authoritative, friendly guide that should prove to be a well-loved resource for anyone who wants to help children with Down syndrome be heard and understood."
Read the entire review at ForeWordReviews.com

"Libby Kumin has given us an immense gift that will be unwrapped and appreciated again and again! Dr. Kumin's research-based guide offers countless activities, practical strategies, and meaningful resources on how to facilitate, develop and improve early communication skills for children with Down syndrome. This thoughtful book does more than teach us about speech-language; it motivates us to work collaboratively to break down barriers so that children with Down syndrome are heard and understood!"
-Rosalie Forster, M.Ed., Education Resource Specialist, Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC)

"Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, 3rd Edition presents authoritative information on the communication issues of children with Down syndrome. Libby Kumin, Ph.D, CCC-SLP has worked with families for over thirty years. Her book and CD-ROM set is designed to explain speech and language characteristics so that we foster good communication skills at home, in school and in the community.

Dr. Kumin’s writing style is straightforward. She touts the huge advantage of experiencing family life, stating that she is 'amazed at how far we have come in the past thirty-five years.' Dr. Kumin mentions the delight of seeing pictures of kids with Down syndrome with their softball teams, as members of wedding parties, and as participants in school plays. She brings this normalization attitude into her explanations of how best to support kids in developing their communication skills.

The strength of this book is the layout. Dr. Kumin’s explanations are summarized in easy-to-read boxes. Practical advice and clear definitions appear in tables. Beyond the layout, Dr. Kumin approaches her topic in a friendly, you-can-do-this manner. She tells us that her suggested activities are not so much different with how we interact with children who do not have Down syndrome. The timetable is different, but the language games and teaching techniques are often the same.

The accompanying CD-ROM is a helpful set of forms for recording communication milestones, behavior plans, speech evaluations, and early intervention plans."
-CAPHIS Consumer Connections

"Libby Kumin is a featured speaker each year at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention for good reason. She continues to be the most comprehensive resource in speech and language for children with Down syndrome. This third edition of Early Communication Skills is a winner, and we'll be recommending it to families of young children all over the country. Parents of babies and young children, you are lucky to have this resource!"
-Sue Joe, Affiliate Relations Director, National Down Syndrome Congress