A quantitative model of speech development is proposed based on observations of normal hearing and congenitally deaf children. Nonlinear controls used during the development of suprasegmental and segmental aspects of speech are identified. Linguistic components of speech are ignored. The importance of the associative cortex in speech-motor control…

Describes patterns of interaction between hard of hearing and deaf children as well as hard of hearing children. Shows that an easily used sign language code enabled the children to take part in dialogs and had positive consequences for their play as well as their social and emotional development. (DSK)

Examined the use of protoimperative and protodeclarative pointing gestures in three children with autism (ages 26 to 53 months) at 5-month intervals over two years. Imperative or instrumental functions emerged early in all three; declarative or experience sharing functions emerged later in two subjects and not at all in the third. (DB)