Patronising Communication toward Pupils with Down Syndrome.

Abstract

This study attempted to describe the communicative behaviour of care givers when interacting with Down syndrome pupils inside the Psycho-pedagogical Centre of Children with Special Needs in Tiaret. It focused mainly on revealing the verbal and nonverbal patronising features that characterise care givers communicative behavior, in addition to unveiling the factors behind their adaptation of such speech style, and its possible impacts on Down syndrome pupils. The study type is descriptive and it followed a mixed-method approach of gathering data in which both detailed questionnaire and semi-structured interview were adopted as research tools. After analysing the obtained data, the results showed that the mental state of Down syndrome pupils is the leading force behind care givers’ adaptation of a patronising communication. In addition, findings indicated that both verbal and nonverbal patronising features characterise the care givers’ communicative behaviour, and they have a positive impact on Down syndrome pupils serving as a tool to aid communication, facilitate comprehension, and reinforce their learning process.