A COMPARISON OF ASPECTS OF THE MATERNAL SPEECH ENVIRONMENT OF RETARDED AND NON-RETARDED CHILDREN

Abstract
Aspects of the maternal speech environment of mentally retarded children were studied. Mothers [8] were observed in interaction with their retarded children and compared with mothers of non-retarded infants who were matched in terms of various socioeconomic indices and language behavior. The mothers of the retarded children were significantly more stimulating vocally, more responsive and less directive than the controls. Possible reasons for such differences and the implications for the child were discussed.

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