Edited by Gary Morgan
[Trends in Language Acquisition Research 25] 2020
► pp. 15–32
This chapter considers the similarities and differences between visual and auditory communication, focusing on early communication between infants and young children and their caretakers and showing how understanding of this phenomenon has unfolded over several decades of research. We identify key characteristics of effective infant–caretaker communication, focusing particularly on the development of joint attention. We explain how the dynamics of early communication can be affected by the hearing status of the infant and the caretaker and we review evidence from interventions that provide direct support for infant–caretaker interactions. Fnally, we compare outcomes for the current cohort of deaf infants with those born before recent innovations in diagnosis and hearing aid technology.