Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine maternal responsivity and directive behaviors in mothers of children with Down syndrome (DS).
Methods: Participants included 22 mothers with a young child with DS compared to 22 mothers of chronologically age-matched typically developing (TD) children using a cross-sectional design. The dyads participated in videotaped structured activities that were coded for responsive and directive behaviors.
Results: Results indicated that the mothers of children with DS used a more facilitative style with the older children while these behaviors decreased with older children with TD; one directive behavior, request for behavioral comply, increased with the older children with DS.
Conclusion: The mothers of children with DS adapted their parenting style to be facilitative of their children's linguistic development.