No.
1) Most of THEM would know to capitalize the word "down" to
"Down" (or "Down's" in honor of its discover, John Langdon
Down.)
2) Most would also know the difference between the INCORRECT
noun "speech" and the CORRECT verb "speak" in your question.
3) They would also probably know that your word "us" should be
replaced with the MORE appropriate phrase, "we speak."
The finished (MORE PROPER) sentence (for intelligent folks)
would thus be:
"Do Down Syndrome kids speak the same as we speak?"
;-)
But seriously; the answer to THAT question, would then be:
Usually, No.
Down Syndrome kids (and adults) usually have some degree of
mental-retardation (from slight to severe.)
Also (statistically):
• 43% have macroglossia (an enlarged tongue.)
• 69% have an oval palate.
• 60% have small teeth.
These 3 work together to produce a protruding tongue (due to
small oral cavity, and an enlarged tongue near the tonsils.)
When all of these conditions are taken into account, the effect
is a dulled, slow, muffled and "thick sounding" speech-pattern.
It is also worth noting that, although there are ignorant
individuals, that erroneously believe that a Down Syndrome person's
particular speech-patterns are due to their being uneducated; this
is FAR from true.
Retardation means diminished in capacity or capability -- NOT
dumb -- and many of them (nowadays) complete High School AND go to
college AND have productive, normal lives.
