This study compared the language behaviours of parents of toddlers with language delay (LD) and language ofparents of typically developing toddlers (LN). Results indicate that parents of children with a language delay and children with normal language produced comparable amounts of linguistic input, but differed on some qualitative measures. Parents of children with normal language used more responses, expansions and self-directed speech than parents of toddlers with language delay. Parents may adjust their conversational style to the communicative ability of their children. These results reinforce language behaviours taught in parent training programmes.

This article describes caretaker interactive and communicative behaviors in various minority cultures in the context of independent/interdependent dimensions of the social world. Attention regulation, pragmatic input, and object engagement and play exemplify how caretakers from minority cultures interact with children differently than caretakers from American and European cultures. Understanding these behaviors can assist therapists in planning language-facilitation interventions for children with language delay or impairment.

The first few years of life represent a crucial period for optimal brain development for young children. Therefore, it is important to identify children at-risk for developmental delays, including autism spectrum disorders, at the earliest age possible. An argument for utilizing community childcare providers for universal developmental screening is presented along with suggestions for assessment tool selection and a model for developmental monitoring in community childcare settings.

Recent intervention for young children has included parent training. The premise for this training is based in research on parent-child interaction. However, these studies have focused on white, middle-class families. More recent research suggests that not all cultures follow the same pattern. This study explored the relationship between attention regulation, pragmatic input, object manipulation and later language competence in Chinese-immigrant and British caregiver-infant dyads. Microanalytical techniques were used to explore observational data derived from a longitudinal study of 10 caregivers and their infants at 9 and 12 months of age. Relations among selected mother and infant activities, notably caregiver control of and responsiveness to attentional focus in infants and object/infant manipulation, were evaluated. Two styles of attention regulation were found across groups. British caretakers responded to their infant's behaviours by following their lead, whereas Chinese caretakers directed their infant's attention. These styles were supported by non-verbal behaviours such as object manipulation on the part of the caretaker. No differences between the two groups in expressive vocabulary size at age 18 months were found, suggesting that attention regulation styles of directing a child's attention or following a child's lead need further investigation to determine the relationship with vocabulary acquisition. Results show that parents begin to use a particular style of interaction with their children at a very young age. Further research is required to determine if this style continues through the language-learning years. Furthermore, this study suggests that speech and language therapists must be aware that the communication style of ethnic minorities on their caseloads maybe different from mainstream culture; and with this knowledge service providers will be able to serve those communities better and avoid potential cultural bias.

Children acquire communication skills within a socially and culturally influenced context. Communication professionals need to be aware of the ways cultural differences influence communication. This article describes the influence of cultural backgrounds on communication patterns along a continuum of behaviors. The purpose is to review relevant literature as an operating framework for professionals providing services to children and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.