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Conversational patterns of children with disabled and nondisabled siblings

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Marcia Summers*
Affiliation:
Ball State University
Jennifer Hahs*
Affiliation:
Ball State University
Carl R. Summers*
Affiliation:
Ball State University
*
Marcia Summers, Educational Psychology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47307-0595. Email: [email protected]
Marcia Summers, Educational Psychology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47307-0595. Email: [email protected]
Marcia Summers, Educational Psychology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47307-0595. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

This study examined the conversational patterns of older children with their younger siblings. The sample included 26 nondisabled, 10 hearing impaired, 14 Down syndrome, and 13 developmentally delayed preschool children and their older, nondisabled siblings. Significant differences were found between the nondisabled and the disabled children. The siblings of disabled children appeared to be less conversationally sensitive with their brothers and sisters than the siblings of nondisabled children. Significant differences were also observed between the different types of disabilities. Few significant differences were found in variables believed to be facilitative of language development in the younger child, and those that were found tended not to be in the expected direction.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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