Research Implications for Communication Deficiencies

Abstract

This article traces, historically, four decades of chimpanzee research relevant to the prosthesis of communication deficiencies. The prosthetic methods reviewed include the following: (a) environment and specialized prosthetic training, (b) mechanical devices for the production of expressive speech, (c) learning of sign systems, e.g., American Sign Language, and (d) a language system based on nonspeech manipulable symbols. The knowledge and techniques resulting from the chimpanzee research have been applied to the training of retarded children. This article discusses the results of this research and its implications for the prosthesis of communication deficiencies in the retarded and deaf.