Functional Predictors of Academic Performance in Portuguese in Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome: A Documentary Study

Authors

  • Cristiano Pedroso All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Author
  • Tayná de Freitas Vieira Penna All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Angelo Juan Barbosa Ferreira All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Rose Dantas Nunes Sandes All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Elizete Sinesia Leal Pereira All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Luciana Moreira de Araujo All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Juliana Sana Vilela All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Paulo Ricardo Sancori Cecilio All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Angela Maize Silva Alves All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Bruna Biazoli de Oliveira All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author
  • Suane da Conceição All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JHS/2026(2)113

Keywords:

Down Syndrome, Adaptive Functioning, Literacy, Academic Performance, Neurodevelopment

Abstract

Down syndrome is a genetic condition associated with intellectual disability, characterized by variability in cognitive and adaptive functioning, directly impacting academic development, particularly literacy acquisition. Evidence indicates that adaptive functioning plays a central role in learning outcomes in this population. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between adaptive functioning and academic performance in Portuguese in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. This is a documentary, exploratory study conducted using secondary data from a specialized educational institution (ADID), following ethical standards applicable to this type of research. The sample consisted of 33 participants aged between 9 and 17 years (M = 14; SD = 2.6). Adaptive functioning was assessed using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and academic performance was measured through Match-to-Sample (MTS) tasks in Portuguese. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive association between adaptive functioning and performance in Portuguese (rs = 0.546; p = 0.001), with an effect size of r² = 0.30, indicating that approximately 30% of the variability in performance can be explained by functional skills. Additionally, odds ratio analysis showed that individuals with higher levels of adaptive functioning were approximately 5.3 times more likely to demonstrate adequate performance in Portuguese (OR = 5.28; 95% CI = 1.19–23.31; p = 0.024). The findings suggest that adaptive functioning is a relevant predictor of literacy-related skills in individuals with Down syndrome. The results reinforce the importance of parental guidance and behavioral interventions aimed at developing adaptive skills, contributing to the literacy process. Interventions focused on functional and behavioral domains may support educational planning and promote more favorable developmental outcomes in this population.

Author Biographies

  • Cristiano Pedroso, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

    Cristiano Pedroso, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

  • Tayná de Freitas Vieira Penna, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Tayná de Freitas Vieira Penna, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Angelo Juan Barbosa Ferreira, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Angelo Juan Barbosa Ferreira, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Rose Dantas Nunes Sandes, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Rose Dantas Nunes Sandes, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Elizete Sinesia Leal Pereira, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Elizete Sinesia Leal Pereira, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Luciana Moreira de Araujo, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Luciana Moreira de Araujo, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Juliana Sana Vilela, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Juliana Sana Vilela, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Paulo Ricardo Sancori Cecilio, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Paulo Ricardo Sancori Cecilio, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Angela Maize Silva Alves, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Angela Maize Silva Alves, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Bruna Biazoli de Oliveira, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Bruna Biazoli de Oliveira, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Suane da Conceição, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Suane da Conceição, All professionals of ADID – Association for the Integral Development of Down Syndrome, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

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Published

2026-04-30

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Volume 2 Issue 2

Section

Articles