The objective of this qualitative research was to analyze the communicative interaction process between two children who show autistic behavior associated with Down syndrome, as well as the process between them and their therapist. Different modalities of verbal and non-verbal communication demonstrated during make-believe activities were also observed. Both children have life history of deprivation of stimuli. Data were collected during weekly sessions with a speech therapist over 6 months. The sessions were video-taped and then the episodes were transcribed. The analyses displayed a qualitative development in the communicative interaction between the children and the therapist which favored the subjects to share meanings and insert themselves in the social situations presented.
Cognitive Development; Down Syndrome; Communicative Interaction; Autism; Make-Believe Activities