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Updated: Oct 19, 2026

Examining Gesture Production in the Presence of Communication Challenges
Published on: January 26, 2024
Consideration of alternative accounts of gender-linked speech patterns in individuals with mental retardation
K M Wilkinson1, N A Murphy, R Bakeman
1E. K. Shriver Center for Mental Retardation, Waltham, MA 02452, USA. kwilkinson@shriver.org
Abstract:
Several preliminary reports have reported the existence of gender influences on the communication patterns of individuals with mental retardation. This study considers two alternative hypotheses to the conclusion that the reported effects were attributable to gender. Two studies extend a previous analysis by further exploration of the original transcripts (Study 1) and addition of participants (Study 2). In Study 1, the possibility of influences from adult partners is analyzed. In Study 2, the association of syntactic development and gender-linked effects is examined. Both alternatives are rejected on the basis of these extended analyses.
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