Social Cognition in Toddlers, Children, and Adolescents With Down Syndrome: A Scoping Review

Background Social cognition (SC) involves mental processes underlying interactions. Children and adolescents with Down syndrome face sociocognitive challenges affecting relationships and well‐being. This review systematically examines research on SC development in persons with Down syndrome. Method Following PRISMA‐ScR guidelines, we systematically searched WoS and Scopus for peer‐reviewed studies on SC in individuals with Down syndrome (0–19 years). Forty studies (2008–2024) met the criteria and were analysed and assessed for quality using the MMAT tool. Results Evidence does not clearly indicate age‐related SC development in Down syndrome. Instead, language is the key factor influencing SC development. Individuals with Down syndrome show challenges in SC and emotion processing, specifically compared to typical development. Conclusion More research is needed, especially longitudinal and developmental trajectory studies, to clarify SC development in Down syndrome and its relation to age. These findings can guide educational and clinical strategies to improve social inclusion and well‐being.