Most people with the syndrome have one or more of these additional problems. As with any child, advice and possibly specific programmes for both feeding and communication can be offered by a Speech and Language Therapist. In the first stage of the syndrome hypotonia is the most noticeable feature. This can make sucking and early feeding extremely difficult, and advice may be needed on appropriate stimulation of the baby's sucking reflex, positioning the baby to enable him to swallow more easily, and external stimulation of oral muscles. There can be later delay in development of chewing and swallowing, sometimes causing choking.
Professional monitoring is therefore advisable.
Inability to make rapid speech movements. Generally, such speech is slow, with indistinct consonants and long intervals between words. Disability of motor programming of articulatory movements or lack of voluntary control over the muscles needed for speech. More rarely dyspraxia occurs. This leads to extremely poor intelligibility and requires very specialised input.