ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to explore patterns of communication between 22 children with cochlear implants (CI) and their parents, teachers and peers in natural interactions over a 2-year period. The children, between 2 and 5 years old when implanted, had used the implant between 1 and 3.5 years at the end of the study. Analyses of videorecorded interactions showed that meaningful oral communication was more easily obtained in the home setting than in the preschool setting. Patterns of communication between parent-child, content and complexity of dialogues, quality of peer interactions, communicative styles of adults, and the use of sign language in communication turned out to be important factors when explaining the result of the CI on the individual child's development. The children with the best oral skills were also good signers.
Subject(s)
Cochlear Implants , Communication , Deafness/rehabilitation , Language Development , Social Environment , Adaptation, Psychological , Child , Child, Preschool , Cochlear Implants/psychology , Deafness/psychology , Education , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Parent-Child Relations , Peer Group , Sign Language , SwedenABSTRACT
The study is an ongoing longitudinal and qualitative psycho-social study of the communicative development in 19 preschool children with cochlear implants, using sign language. The children are video-recorded in natural interactional settings. Analysis of patterns of communication show that 16 of the children use sign language in communication with adults and peers. With regard to oral communication, 13 children were observed to utter single words or speech-like sounds upon an adult's request, but seldom used spoken words spontaneously. Six children used single spoken words in dialogues with adults if the content of the dialogue was about the here and now, and if the topic of reference was clear. None of the children in the study were able to take part in age-adequate play activities with peers when speech was used in communication. The results are discussed in reference to early mother-infant interaction, the development of communication and language, and the significance of early close relationships for children's social and emotional development.
