Interpersonal Communication Between Parents and Children With Down Syndrome: A Descriptive Study on Developing Speaking Skills and Interests

Abstract

This study investigates the patterns of interpersonal communication (IC) employed by parents of children with Down Syndrome (DS) to foster their children’s speaking skills and interests. Children with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) often experience developmental delays, including challenges in verbal communication, which necessitates specialized and effective communication strategies from their caregivers. Using a qualitative descriptive method , this research conducted in-depth interviews and observations with three parents of children with DS in Bekasi, Indonesia. The theoretical framework utilizes Joseph A. DeVito’s characteristics of effective interpersonal communication, namely Openness, Empathy, Supportiveness, Positiveness, and Equality. The findings reveal that parents effectively overcome communication barriers—such as the child's difficulty with message comprehension and active disposition —by consistently applying these principles. Key strategies include using simple, repetitive language and visual aids (Openness) , prioritizing the child's perspective and non-verbal cues (Empathy) , and providing tailored emotional and practical encouragement (Supportiveness). The study concludes that the deliberate and effective application of interpersonal communication techniques by parents is crucial in creating a supportive learning environment that successfully stimulates the development of speaking ability and cultivates the child's innate interests.