Down Syndrome Awareness Month – October 15, 2025

Did you know? Some people with Down syndrome use self-talk to process information, direct behavior, counter boredom, and/or cope with challenging situations.

For many people with and without Down syndrome, self-talk serves many beneficial functions. For example, athletes may use self-talk to encourage themselves through a workout, game, race, competition, etc. While some people self-talk internally, others talk aloud to themselves or to an imaginary friend or friends. 

Sometimes, self-talk can be misinterpreted as a sign of mental illness. Self-talk in and of itself usually is not a sign of mental illness in people with Down syndrome. However, a change in self-talk may indicate a medical, social, or psychological concern or stress.

Our online library has more information on self-talk in the resources linked below. 

Self-talk article 

Self-talk webinar recording