Low speech rate but high gesture rate during conversational interaction in people with Cornelia de Lange syndrome

• Published in: Journal of intellectual disability research Vol. 65; no. 6; pp. 601 - 607
• Main Authors: Pearson, E., Nielsen, E., Kita, S., Groves, L., Nelson, L., Moss, J., Oliver, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Communication; Communication disorders; Conversation; Cornelia de Lange syndrome; De Lange syndrome; Down syndrome; gesture; Gestures; Intellectual disabilities; Oral Language; Receptive language; social engagement; speech; Speech rate; Spoken language; Cornelia de Lange syndrome; Down syndrome; social engagement; communication; speech; gesture
• ISSN: 0964-2633; 1365-2788
• DOI: 10.1111/jir.12829

Background Cornelia de Lange syndrsome (CdLS) is a rare genetic syndrome with notable impaired expressive communication characterised by reduced spoken language. We examined gesture use to refine the description of expressive communication impairments in CdLS. Methods During conversations, we compared gesture use in people with CdLS to peers with Down syndrome (DS) matched for receptive language and adaptive ability, and typically developing (TD) individuals of similar chronological age. Results As anticipated the DS and CdLS groups used fewer words during conversation than TD peers (P < .001). However, the CdLS group used twice the number of gestures per 100 words compared with the DS and TD groups (P = .003). Conclusions Individuals with CdLS have a significantly higher gesture rate than expected given their level of intellectual disability and chronological age. This result indicates the cause of reduced use of spoken language does not extend to all forms of expressive communication.