Background: Depending on the severity of their disabilities, children with Down syndrome (DS) and with cerebral palsy (CP) may remain pre-symbolic for prolonged periods of time. When interacting with pre-symbolic children, communication partners have a role in identifying which of their behaviours are communicative, to be able to respond to those…

This study explored the impact of a parent education program and the contextual factors that influenced the experiences of families in the program. Seventeen parents completed a 9-week, face-to-face program and 15 parents completed a similar online program. This study was designed as a multiple case study and utilized multimethods for data…

This study conducted comparative assessment of friendship in preschoolers with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD, n = 29) versus preschoolers with typical development (n = 30), focusing on interactions with friends versus acquaintances. Groups were matched on SES, verbal/nonverbal MA, IQ, and CA. Multidimensional assessments…

The purpose of this study was to examine group dynamics of educational leadership students in cohorts and make comparisons with the group dynamics characteristics of non-cohort students. Cohorts have emerged as dynamic and adaptive entities with attendant group dynamic processes that shape collective learning and action. Cohort (n=42) and…

This study employed direct observation to assess social interaction patterns of eight employees with severe disabilities and seven without disabilities in a supported employment setting. Variance was substantial among individual employees. Although patterns of interaction were similar between groups, statistically significant differences were…

Compares the Group Valence Model (GVM) to several derived versions of the Valence Distribution Model (VDM), as they relate to the group problem-solving process. Suggests that, not withstanding predictive accuracy, the VDM seems generally inferior to the GVM, which consistently accounts for more of the decision-making phenomenon. Discusses…

A study explored the relationship between creative problem solving and group decision making techniques as measured by the outcome variables identified in earlier studies. Subjects, 46 undergraduate students enrolled in communication courses at 2 midwestern universities, were divided into 3 groups, a Nominal Group Technique (NGT), Unstructured…

Examines the manner in which more and less proficient fourth-grade peer discussion groups managed topics and group process across time. Finds that coherence is a key to conversational competence. Suggests that large amounts of metatalk and teacher intrusion cause disjuncture to peer discussion and impair the group's ability to manage topics. (RS)

This research describes and analyses the type of verbal discourse and interactions among the children in a group-solving situation. Two groups of five children ages 6, 7 and 8, from two different cultures, were observed: one at an English-speaking summer camp in Beirut, Lebanon, and another at a parallel site, a neighbourhood group in Kentucky, in…

Relationships between cognitive and social-cognitive characteristics of group members and group performance were assessed, using 96 adults. A method for conceptualizing and modeling group performance is presented. People working in newly formed small groups on written problems emphasizing divergent/creative solutions generally produce…

A study compared the communication styles of Filipino and Malaysian administrators of public and private organizations devoted to information, education, and communication about family planning and population control. Sixty-nine administrators were interviewed in the two countries. Results indicated that there was no overall preference for either…

This study examined differences in individual influence and decision quality across communication media. Participants were 64 introductory psychology students. Results showed that influence for dominating participants remained stable across three media conditions (telephone, computer, and face-to-face). Less dominating participants had higher…

A study examined the phenomenon of burnout in social service agencies, approaching burnout as a symptom of organizational communication patterns rather than a characteristic inherent in or developed within a particular individual. Sixteen working teams (defined as three or more people in a person-oriented service, who are perceived as a team by…

This report analyzes the effects of multiunit school organization on elementary teachers' patterns of task-related communication. Multiunit teacher work teams, or units, are characterized by discussions between teachers about the intimate details of their daily work; this contrasts with the structurally undifferentiated organization of…

Examines how college-level intermediate English-as-a-Second-Language students modify interaction when engaged in small-group versus pair work, and whether task type (optional versus required information exchange) affects amount of language and interaction individual students produce. Results suggest "negotiation of meaning" is not a…