LETS TALK - THE EFFECT OF MATERNAL HEARING STATUS ON INTERACTIONS WITH TODDLERS WHO ARE DEAF

Eight dyads comprised of deaf toddlers and their deaf mothers (D-D dya ds) and eight dyads in which only the toddlers were deaf (D-H dyads) w ere compared on the use and success of various means for establishing mutual attention for communication. Three different sequences of invit ation and response resulting in mutual attention for communication wer e examined. Results indicated that for two of the types of invitation, the D-D dyads experienced significantly more episodes of mutual atten tion, not only because the deaf mothers were more active, but also bec ause their deaf toddlers were more responsive. The relevance of these differences for development and for communication was explored, and im plications were discussed for early intervention with D-H dyads.