The emotional and interactional exchange between children with Down Syndrome and parents

Abstract

The present research study aims at investigating the strategies for emotional regulation of children with Down Syndrome (DS) during videorecorded playtime with their parents (mothers and fathers). The methodology consisted in the observation of 20 children with DS in their interaction with both mothers and fathers, one parent per time, during play sessions at home. The interactional exchanges have been evaluated by means of the Interactional Rating Scales Caregiver-Children (Speranza, Trentini, Celani, 2010), with the purpose of exploring the possible differences in the quality of the dyadic relationship. The children's emotional competences have been observed using the Socioemotional Development Scales (Ferri, Carleschi, Orsini, 2010). Children with DS have shown dedication in the relationship with parents and good abilities in the interactions, with their expressivity mainly oriented towards the posivite emotion side.