Imitative behavior by Down's syndrome persons
Silverstein, A.B.; Aguilar, B.F.; Jacobs, L.J.; Levy, J.E.; Rubenstein, D.M.
American Journal of Mental Deficiency 83(4): 409-411
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9351 PMID: 154298 Document Number: 146013
Three scales of imitative behavior (nonverbal, vocal, and verbal) were administered to 28 Down's syndrome subjects and 56 subjects with other diagnoses. All of the subjects were severely retarded and had at least partial vision and hearing, and the two groups were closely comparable with respect to sex, CA, and IQ. The results provided no support for the hypothesis--backed by a century of clinical observation--that individuals with Down's syndrome "are outstanding in their mimicry" (Belmont, 1971, p. 38).