From birth parents have conversations with their infants. They carefully support the infant's head a short distance away from their face, adapt the pitch and timbre of voice a little and speak in short sentences, nod their heads and allow time for the baby to respond. 

This is a rewarding activity for the parent as the infant will pay close attention to their face, imitate expressions and in a few weeks time start to smile and vocalize. 

Infants with developmental delay may not be as responsive as a healthy typically developing infant. They need more support for the head, may find it difficult to stay focussed on the social partner's face, or may become quickly overwhelmed and turn their face away or start to fuss or cry. 

Therapists play an important role in promoting social engagement between the infant and their caregivers, and when necessary modeling sensitive face-t-face engagement for parents who are finding it frustrating. 

These video clips provide examples of conversations between Wil and Max and me.  Notice how I modulate my voice, give the infants time to respond and notice when they have has enough. 

Will 6 days

Will 5 weeks
In conversation with Pam

Will 15 weeks