The working memory of individuals with Down Syndrome

The main aim of the chapter is to review findings regarding the working memory (WM) profiles of individuals with Down Syndrome (DS). The studies are reported in the light of two models of WM; in particular the classic multicomponential model by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) with later modifications, and the continuity model proposed by Cornoldi and Vecchi (2003). In the latter, the authors suggested the existence of two continuums, a horizontal continuum, which deals with the type of stimuli and the contiguity shared by certain types of stimuli, and a vertical continuum signaling the amount of activity involved in the task (therefore the level of control implied). This distinction seemed particularly beneficial for understating the profile of individual with DS. Indeed, the review of the data available in literature demonstrates that individuals with DS have a poorer performance in verbalWM with respect to matched mental age controls. Instead, the differences in visuo-spatial WM depend on the considered subcomponents (with impaired performance in the visual and simultaneous spatial component) and the involvement of attentional control (with greater impairment in active vs. passive tasks).In addition, the chapter considers the results of training studies, which are encouraging but need further evidence to prove their efficacy in the population of individuals with DS.