Effects of early home environment on the mental development of Down syndrome infants

Changes in the mental development, as assessed with the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales, of 37 Down syndrome infants over a 6-month period were correlated with scores obtained on the Home Observations for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory. Three HOME Inventory subscales, Organization of Physical and Temporal Environment, Opportunities for Variety in Daily Stimulation, and Maternal Involvement, were significantly related to the Griffiths Personal-Social Scale. A stepwise discriminant analysis composed of three subscale scores from the HOME Inventory (Organization of Physical and Temporal Environment. Provision of Appropriate Play Materials and Maternal Involvement) differentiated the infants into two groups according to the degree of decline in the total developmental quotient. The minimal decline group was associated with a better organization of the physical and temporal environment. Scores on the HOME Inventory obtained in infancy can be used to help predict the amount of decline in measured mental functioning in Down syndrome infants.