Nonverbal communication, play, and language in Greek young children with Williams syndrome

This study investigated nonverbal communicative abilities, functional play, and symbolic play in 11 toddlers with Williams syndrome (WS) during spontaneous communication. The WS group was compared with a group of typically developing (TD) children matched for linguistic abilities. Results demonstrat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Child neuropsychology 2011-01, Vol.17 (3), p.225-241
Main Authors: Papaeliou, Christina F., Fryssira, Helen, Kodakos, Anastassios, Kaila, Maria, Benaveli, Evangelia, Michaelides, Konstantinos, Stroggilos, Vassilis, Vrettopoulou, Maria, Polemikos, Nikitas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention - physiology
Child
Child, Preschool
Comprehension - physiology
Female
Greece
Humans
Language
Language comprehension
Language production
Male
Nonverbal communication
Nonverbal Communication - psychology
Play and Playthings
Williams syndrome
Williams Syndrome - physiopathology
Williams Syndrome - psychology
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Summary:This study investigated nonverbal communicative abilities, functional play, and symbolic play in 11 toddlers with Williams syndrome (WS) during spontaneous communication. The WS group was compared with a group of typically developing (TD) children matched for linguistic abilities. Results demonstrated that children with WS exhibited significantly less spontaneous functional play and imaginary play compared to TD children. On the other hand, children with WS showed significantly more showing and giving guided by their parents than TD children. In addition, it was shown that in both groups aspects of symbolic play are correlated with expressive as well as receptive language. These findings are interpreted through the Theory of Intersubjectivity, which contrasts with the Theory of Mind and suggests that shared arbitrary purposes regarding actions on objects constitute presuppositions for the development of language.
ISSN:0929-7049
1744-4136
DOI:10.1080/09297049.2010.524151