Part of
Understanding Deafness, Language and Cognitive Development: Essays in honour of Bencie WollEdited by Gary Morgan
[Trends in Language Acquisition Research 25] 2020
► pp. 15–32
Edited by Gary Morgan
[Trends in Language Acquisition Research 25] 2020
► pp. 15–32
Chapter 2Early communication in deaf and hearing children
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.
Article outline
- Joint attention and early language
- Joint attention in deaf children
- The impact of cochlear implants on early communication
- Interventions to support the development of joint attention
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