Communicative and sensorimotor development of Down's syndrome children

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Linguistic Development
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Performative behavior, encompassing imperative and declarative actions, is crucial for early communication.
• Sensorimotor intelligence development significantly influences a child's cognitive and communicative abilities.
• Down syndrome presents unique developmental trajectories in cognitive and linguistic domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate imperative and declarative performative behavior in children with and without Down syndrome.
• To examine the relationship between sensorimotor intelligence stages and performative behaviors.
• To compare communication strategies, specifically gesture use, between the two groups.

Main Methods:

• Participants included nonretarded children and children with Down syndrome.
• Children were assessed at two distinct stages of sensorimotor intelligence.
• Imperative and declarative performative behaviors were systematically observed and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Both groups exhibited more advanced performative behaviors at higher sensorimotor stages.
• Children with Down syndrome utilized gestures more frequently in imperative and declarative contexts compared to nonretarded peers.
• The link between sensorimotor stage and performative behavior was stronger in younger children.

Conclusions:

• Sensorimotor development is a key factor in performative communication for both nonretarded children and those with Down syndrome.
• Gesture reliance is a notable characteristic of performative communication in children with Down syndrome.
• The developmental relationship between sensorimotor abilities and communication becomes less pronounced with age.