Preferred communication modes: prelinguistic and linguistic communication in non-speaking preschool children with cerebral palsy

Seven non-speaking preschool children with severe cerebral palsy, 5-7 years of age, were studied with respect to the amount of prelinguistic versus linguistic modes of communication used in communicative interaction with a previously unknown adult. An attempt was also made to analyse this in relation to the childrens' physical, cognitive and linguistic capacities. No significant correlations were found, however. Given that all participants had reached preschool age and were of normal intelligence, the amount of linguistic communication used (12%) was much less than could be expected. Explanations for the results were suggested, including limited interaction possibilities with the environment due to motor dysfunction, which in turn might prevent development of linguistic skills necessary to take part in more complex communicative interaction later in life.