Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Examining Gesture Production in the Presence of Communication Challenges
Published on: January 26, 2024
Embodied expressiveness: Children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities' interactions with
Kristin Vindhol Evensen1, Borgunn Ytterhus2
1Department of Teacher Education and Outdoor Studies, Department of Kindergarten Teacher Education, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
Background:
This article addresses epistemological challenges arising when children who communicate through gestures are excluded from disability research. We encourage researchers to incorporate the gestures of these children into future research projects.
Method:
By methodically analysing embodied phenomenological anecdotes and considering the works of Merleau-Ponty and Foucault, we illustrate how professionals foster embodied interactions and use queer objects in educational settings.
Results:
The results show how professional practitioners exhibited perception, patience and interpretation of the children's gestures, which seem reliable due to the value of everyday life experiences.
Conclusion:
Perception, patience and interpretation can serve as key methodological cornerstones for qualitative researchers aiming to expand epistemologies. When epistemologies expand, power is redistributed, allowing researchers to learn from others close to children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and to investigate their lifeworlds.
Related Concept Videos
Intellectual Disability
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Therapeutic Communication
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
