Interactions between the normally developing child and his parents are characterized by mutual responsiveness: each initiates and reciprocates communications. When children's language development is delayed or impaired, this communication process may also become impaired, with parents unable to respond appropriately to confusing or reduced messages from the child. A methodology is presented for developing effective communications between such children and parents. The approach is illustrated by the case history of a multiply handicapped, hearing impaired toddler and her parents.
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