USE OF POINTING AND OTHER GESTURES BY YOUNG-CHILDREN WITH DOWN-SYNDROME

Pointing, reaching, and other communicative gestures were elicited fro m 22 children with Down syndrome ages 21 to 47 months in two communica tive contexts (referential/declarative vs. instrumental/imperative) an d with two partners (mother vs. agemate with Down syndrome). Linguisti c competence was assessed using the Vineland and Reynell Scales. High levels of pointing were produced in both communicative contexts and wi th each partner. Advance visual checking of the partner appeared to in dicate awareness of the necessary conditions for successful declarativ e pointing. Comparisons with matched data from typically developing in fants revealed both similarities and differences in gesture use. Findi ngs were discussed in relation to delayed language development in chil dren with Down syndrome.