Communication and Symbolic Behavior Development in Adopted Infants from China

Internationally adopted (IA) children abruptly move into a new culture and language and consequently have different communication development than children adopted from the same country and language as the adoptive parents (Fensbo, 2004; Glennen, 2005; Johnson & Dole, 1999). Their development also differs from bilingual children who are exposed somewhat equally to two cultures and languages. IA children experience disrupted development, beginning and ending development in one language and culture, and beginning another first language at a later age. Several factors may negatively impact disrupted communication development. Children awaiting adoption live in orphanages, which often vary in terms of quality. Three factors that may influence adopted children’s development if most of their pre-adoptive life was spent in an orphanage are: a) availability of stimulating materials, b) social stimulation, and c) poor health care and nutrition (Morison, Ames, & Chisholm, 1995). Few institutions offer children the intimate or significant adult interactions or opportunities to practice any new social skills the