The purpose of emotions within discourse developed by young people with intellectual disabilities and adults who participate in an alternative pedagogical program for people with special needs is discussed. Micro-genetic analyses of short duration episodes are employed in data construction as a methodological resource. Episodes are cross-sections of interactive dynamics in which the subjects participate. Results show a variety of inter-relationships being established, as well as the overt manifestation of affect mediated by symbolic language, as referred to by authors based on the historical and dialectical materialism epistemology, such as Wallon (as an adaptive and communicative function) and by Bakhtin (as a mediating function and significant action).
intellectual disability; affectivity; symbolic languages; dialogics; special education