The underlying theme of this book is that children with Down syndrome, despite their constitutional anomalies and their additional medical problems, can be understood from a normative developmental framework. The contributions, all of which are based on the latest theories and research, demonstrate that the application of a developmental perspective to the study of young children with Down syndrome sheds light on the universality of ontogenetic sequences, stages, and structures, and highlights the respective roles of biological, perceptual-cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional factors in the developmental process. Finally, it is shown that the application of a developmental perspective will suggest age and stage-appropriate interventions for Down syndrome children and their families. This will be a suitable book for psychologists, psychiatrists, special education teachers, pediatricians, and other medical researchers interested in Down syndrome and mental retardation, as well as graduate students in these areas.