A Survey of the Communication Abilities of People With a Mental Handicap

Blackwell, C. L.; Hulbert, C. M.; Bell, John D.; Elston, L.; Morgan, Whitney Botsford; Robertshaw, B.A.; Thomas, Connie S.

doi:10.1179/bjms.1989.010

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Nineteen court reports written by RIs in Northern Ireland were examined. Findings of this research are in line with current literature which highlights communication difficulties for adults with ID including: difficulties in receiving, processing and retaining information; limitations in recall and expressive language skills; limitations in being able to focus during communicative exchanges; and challenges with social and pragmatic skills for effective communication (Abbeduto and Hesketh, 1997;Bartlett and Bunning, 1997;Belva et al, 2012;Blackwell et al, 1989;Cascella, 2004;Cogher, 2010;Henry and MacLean, 2002;Hronis et al, 2017;Kelly, 2000). Findings of this research also complement existing research regarding difficulties with witness suggestibility to leading questions (Bettenay et al, 2014;Cardone and Dent, 1996;Clare and Gudjonsson, 1993;Gudjonsson and Henry, 2003;Milne et al, 2002;White and Willner, 2005), limited recall skills (Bettenay et al, 2014;Brown et al, 2012;Henry and Gudjonsson, 2003) and difficulties understanding court-related language (Ericson and Perlman, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Reported communication challenges for adult witnesses with intellectual disabilities giving evidence in court

Morrison

Bradshaw

Murphy

2021

The International Journal of Evidence & Proof

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Communication plays a key role in a witness's ability to give evidence and participate in the court process. Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) can be negatively impacted by communication difficulties such as: limitations in recall abilities; suggestibility to leading questions; difficult question styles used by advocates; and unfamiliar language used within the court setting. Most research carried out on communication challenges for adults with ID, when giving evidence, has involved participants in psychology-based experimental methodology. In this study 19 court reports assessing actual witnesses (complainants and defendants) with ID, written by Registered Intermediaries in Northern Ireland, were analysed. A wide range of communication difficulties were identified for the adult witnesses. Difficulties resulting from communication used by their communication partner (typically the advocate in a court setting) were also described. A rich model of the challenges for both partners, in giving evidence and in cross-examination, is presented, extending previous research. This study highlights the need for research within UK courts to assess: how witnesses with ID are being questioned; the effectiveness of changes made to the court process to enhance communication; the impact of the court process and environment on communication and alternative question styles for advocates to use.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Reported communication challenges for adult witnesses with intellectual disabilities giving evidence in court

Morrison

Bradshaw

Murphy

2021

The International Journal of Evidence & Proof

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“…Several studies have investigated the communication difficulties people with an ID may experience (Law & Lester 1991; Bartlett & Bunning 1997; Bott et al . 1997), and the mismatch that can sometimes be found between the clients' level of understanding and the language used by staff (Blackwell et al . 1989; Enderby & Davies 1989; van der Gaag 1998; Purcell et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Holding monologues may have been a result of clients' misunderstanding what was being said to them. Several studies have investigated the communication difficulties people with an ID may experience (Law & Lester 1991;Bartlett & Bunning 1997;Bott et al 1997), and the mismatch that can sometimes be found between the clients' level of understanding and the language used by staff (Blackwell et al 1989;Enderby & Davies 1989;van der Gaag 1998;Purcell et al 1999;Bradshaw 2001). Given the fact that staff used an almost equal number of implicit turns, another plausible explanation for the use of such turns must be considered; staff and clients with borderline to mild ID might want to talk about different things.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactional patterns between staff and clients with borderline to mild intellectual disabilities

Reuzel

Embregts

Bosman

et al. 2012

J intellect Disabil Res

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“…Communication difficulties are prevalent in people with ID (Bott et al 1997), although reports vary according to methodology and definitions employed. Difficulties reported have included: social interaction or pragmatic skills (Abbeduto & Hesketh 1997); expressive skills (Bouras et al 1988; Blackwell et al 1989; Law & Lester 1991); and comprehension (Bartlett & Bunning 1997; Law & Lester 1991). Using a regional database, Farmer et al (1991) demonstrated that 40% of people living in hospitals were rated as having either no or only a basic understanding (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complexity of staff communication and reported level of understanding skills in adults with intellectual disability

Bradshaw

2001

J intellect Disabil Res

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Staff reports of the communication acts taking place with 22 adults with intellectual disability were compared with video observations of the communication acts used by staff with 12 of these service users. The interactions were coded in terms of the form of communication used, the function of the act and the level of complexity. The results show that staff tend to underestimate their own use of verbal communication and overestimate their use of non-verbal communication. The findings also indicate a mismatch between the reported level of understanding of the service user and the level of complexity of the language used. Staff appeared unable to adapt their communication to the skills of the service user and an average of 45% of communicative acts were outside the reported understanding skills of the individual. The implications of these findings are discussed and possible explanations for staff behaviour are suggested.

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A Survey of the Communication Abilities of People With a Mental Handicap

Cited by 15 publications

References 3 publications

Reported communication challenges for adult witnesses with intellectual disabilities giving evidence in court

Reported communication challenges for adult witnesses with intellectual disabilities giving evidence in court

Interactional patterns between staff and clients with borderline to mild intellectual disabilities

Complexity of staff communication and reported level of understanding skills in adults with intellectual disability

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