This examination of Swedish research in the area of communicative interaction is designed to establish a common base for analyzing communication through the use of video recordings. The review describes research from five perspectives: normally developing children, blind children and children with visual impairment, hearing-impaired and deaf children, mentally retarded children, and children with physical handicaps. Definitions of communication are presented from the perspectives of selected researchers in different disciplines such as linguistics, psychology, and education. Communication is perceived as an interaction between the individual and the conditions of the situation; in order to analyze a handicapped person's communication problems and abilities, the individual and his or her surroundings must be examined. (19 references) (JDD)