Abstract
Studies of mother-infant dyads indicate that individual differences of both partners contribute to the development of reciprocal interaction. When an infant is born with Down Syndrome, infant responses are reported to be delayed. Infant characteristics that contribute to social interaction with caregivers differ between nonhandicapped infants and those with Down syndrome. In this review, studies of infant characteristics, including temperament, state control, gaze, gesture, and vocalization, are discussed. Although infants with Down syndrome, like nonhandicapped infants, develop social communication behaviors, vulnerable characteristics are found. Differences in the development of state control, gaze patterns, coordination of gesture, gaze, vocalization, and frequency of vocalization have implications for parents and professionals in early intervention.