Is speech and language therapy effective at improving the communication of adults with intellectual disabilities?: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: A significant proportion of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience speech, language and communication difficulties which are associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes. Speech and language therapy (SLT) interventions are an important way to address these communication difficulties, yet there is limited available evidence to provide information about the effectiveness of the different approaches used for this heterogeneous group. Aims: To review the evidence available for the effectiveness of SLT interventions aimed at improving communication for adults with ID. Methods & Procedures: A systematic search across relevant databases was performed. Information on methodological details of each relevant study, along with descriptions of the SLT interventions employed, were extracted and the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT) was used to assess quality. Findings were discussed in a narrative synthesis grouped by target communication skill. Outcomes & Results: A total of 10 relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. These were predominantly interventions aimed directly at adults with ID to improve speech, increase augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) use and develop interaction skills, with one study addressing work with carers. The included studies were all rated as low quality. There is weak preliminary evidence that SLT input can improve the communication skills of adults with ID. Conclusions & Implications: There is insufficient evidence to draw strong conclusions about the effectiveness of SLT in this population. Further high-level evidence across speech, language and communication domains is urgently needed.

Scoping review on communication systems used by adults with severe/profound intellectual disability for functional communication

“…In terms of study focus, eight sources examined the use of communication systems to support the communication of adults with severe/ profound intellectual disability (Beck et al, 2009;Bracken & Rohrer, 2014;Chen, 2019;Nepo et al, 2017;Ricci et al, 2017;Sigafoos & Reichle, 1992;Stoner et al, 2006;Wood & Standen, 2021).…”

“…In total, 16 sources (published between 1992 and were identified. Three were systematic/scoping reviews (Chen, 2019;Walton & Ingersoll, 2013;Wood & Standen, 2021), nine were quantitative studies (Beck et al, 2009;Bracken & Rohrer, 2014;Dalton & Sweeney, 2011;Nepo et al, 2017;Ricci et al, 2017;Robinson & Owens, 1995;Sigafoos & Reichle, 1992;Stoner et al, 2006;van der Meer et al, 2017), three were qualitative (Dennis, 2002;Forster & Iacono, 2007;Johnson et al, 2010) and one was a mixed-method study (Bloomberg et al, 2003).…”

A Comparative Study on Communication Skills of Out of School and School Going Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

“…IDDs (Wood & Standen, 2021). Children with IDDs who do not attend school and remain at homes face many difficulties while trying to express their needs to their caregivers.…”

“…Parents need training to practice communication skills with their children with IDDs (Stephenson & Dowrick, 2009). Most of the interventions aims to include parents and family members to enhance communication skills of individuals with IDDs (Wood & Standen, 2021).…”

Research priorities relating to communication and swallowing for people with learning disabilities across the lifespan

“…Despite the requirement to use evidence-based practice (EBP), many gaps exist in the literature regarding approaches to SLT for individuals with learning disabilities. Research in to communication-based interventions for individuals with learning disabilities are often underpowered and of poor quality (Wood and Standen, 2021). Additionally, interventions pertaining to dysphagia specifically for the population of people with learning disabilities are not well-explored, with most studies investigating enteral feeding only, of which also lack robustness (Manduchi et al , 2020).…”