Speech and language therapists’ approaches to communication intervention with children and adults with profound and multiple learning disability

Abstract

Empirical research evidence was seldom mentioned by SLTs as informing intervention decision making leading to very diverse practice. There is a need for further research on the effectiveness of commonly used but under-evaluated interventions. There is also a need to alert SLTs to the evidence base supporting other approaches, particularly switch-based, cause and effect approaches.

Staff members and managers’ views of the conditions for the participation of adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

“…At the same time, the staff reported that it was not always easy to understand the wishes of adults with PIMD, and that getting to know those wishes was decisive for understanding them. This result is consistent with the findings reported by Goldbart et al (2014) who noted that getting to know the adult and the ways he or she communicates is crucial for adult-staff interactions.…”

“…That participation depends on the nature and conditions for interaction and communication. In another study, disability support workers stressed that getting to know the adults and the way they communicate is crucial for interacting with them (Goldbart, Chadwick, & Buell, 2014). They also found that organisational policies emphasise age-appropriate interaction, yet the disability support workers stressed communication that stimulated an adult to respond.…”

“…They also found that organisational policies emphasise age-appropriate interaction, yet the disability support workers stressed communication that stimulated an adult to respond. In another study, disability support workers stressed that getting to know the adults and the way they communicate is crucial for interacting with them (Goldbart, Chadwick, & Buell, 2014).…”

Intervenção com comunicação aumentativa e alternativa na multideficiência e surdocegueira: revisão sistemática

“…Os resultados obtidos neste estudo reforçam o que tem vindo a ser salientado pela literatura, relativamente ao uso de switches e dispositivos com saída de voz, que parecem ter um efeito positivo significativo 22,23,25 , com impacto no meio envolvente e na interação com os outros.…”

“…Num estudo sobre decisões de intervenção em comunicação por fonoaudiólogos, constatou-se que o uso de objetos de referência para crianças e adultos com necessidades complexas de comunicação foi a estratégia mais referida por estes profissionais na intervenção em comunicação, uma vez que estes aparentam antecipar acontecimentos, reduzir níveis de ansiedade e facilitar interações 25 .…”