Use of pointing and other gestures by young children with Down syndrome.

Pointing, reaching, and other communicative gestures were elicited from 22 children with Down syndrome ages 21 to 47 months in two communicative contexts (referential/declarative vs. instrumental/imperative) and with two partners (mother vs. agemate with Down syndrome). Linguistic competence was assessed using the Vineland and Reynell Scales. High levels of pointing were produced in both communicative contexts and with each partner. Advance visual checking of the partner appeared to indicate awareness of the necessary conditions for successful declarative pointing. Comparisons with matched data from typically developing infants revealed both similarities and differences in gesture use. Findings were discussed in relation to delayed language development in children with Down syndrome.