Compared the gestures of typical human infants, children with autism, chimpanzees, and human-raised chimpanzees. Typical infants differed from the other groups in their use of: triadic gestures directing another's attention to an outside entity; declarative gestures; and imitation in acquiring some gestures. These differences derive from an…

Describes multiple techniques for facilitating development of initial communication repertoires for individuals with multiple disabilities, and integrates these techniques with strategies for increasing the alert, responsive behavior state through the Tri-Focus Framework, which emphasizes understanding the learner, broadening the communication…

Examines the role that nonverbal immediacy plays in clear teaching, as well as the effects clear and immediate teaching have on student learning, state receiver apprehension, and affect. Indicates that clarity is an important factor in student learning, receiver apprehension, and affect. Finds that nonverbal immediacy did not have a significant…

Argues that the construction of a performance script permits the modification of the original text in order to render that original theatrically communicative in the present. Notes that the dominant concerns of script modification are in how to negotiate audience expectations. Describes three types of textual deviation: nonverbal alteration;…

Twelve hearing and 12 hearing-impaired mothers were videotaped during work and play tasks with their hearing daughters, aged 8-12. Significant differences observed among 11 interaction patterns included less verbal interaction, more nonverbal interaction, and fewer maternal questions between hearing-impaired mothers and their daughters than…

In two university business communication classes, 300 students analyzed teachers' nonverbal behavior. Responses showed that instructors' nonverbal communication is integral to the formation of student attitudes toward the instructor and the course. (SK)

Conducts an experiment on teacher expectancy effects to investigate the simultaneous effects of student gender, communication channel, and type of material taught (vocabulary and reasoning). Finds that the magnitude of teacher expectation effects was greater when students had access to visual cues, especially when the students were female. (MS)

The article addresses the need to identify the unconventional, nonsymbolic behaviors of children with severe, multiple disabilities. Suggestions for improving the frequency and quality of communicative interactions by building on the child's current behavioral repertoire. (Author/DB)

The communicative performance of four preoperational-level adolescents, using limited speech, gestures, and communication board techniques, was examined. The two studies took place in a therapy room: one involved interaction with a teacher, and the second involved spontaneous interactions with speaking and nonspeaking peers. Communication mode,…

The study compared PACE (Promoting Aphasics' Communicative Effectiveness) and traditional stimulation therapy in the remediation of naming deficits in a 66-year-old conduction aphasic. In PACE, client and clinician engage in natural interaction sequences using multiple channels, including gestures, to communicate. PACE resulted in greater gains in…

Defines crying as a baby's tool of communication and suggests an alphabet of ideas that assist in interpreting reasons and developing solutions for a crying infant. (BAC)

The paper discusses general types of nonverbal behavior (NVB) and encourages teachers to use NVB influences in the classroom. (Contains eight references.) (LB)

Advises that teachers help journalism and mass communication students learn to interpret and create clear, effective visual messages. Argues that each introductory journalism course should explore connotations of colors, shapes, and texture in print and broadcast media. (PA)

Overaccommodation in communication with elders is frequently based on stereotyped expectations of frailty and dependence. In this study, volunteers read either a patronizing or neutral version of a conversation between a nursing home resident and a nurse. The main analyses indicated that negative nonverbal behaviors were rated more likely to occur…

Results of a study comparing 10-year-old girls' emotional experience (via verbal report) and emotional state (via nonverbal facial expressions) showed that there are modest associations between these factors and also between verbal and facial empathy scores. (ETB)