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Quality of communication support for people with severe or profound intellectual disability and complex needs

Bradshaw, Jill, Beadle-Brown, Julie, Beecham, Jennifer, Mansell, Jim, Bäumker, Theresia, Leigh, Jennifer S, Whelton, Beckie, Richardson, Lisa (2013) Quality of communication support for people with severe or profound intellectual disability and complex needs. Communication Matters, 27 (3). pp. 24-26. (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:38391)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided. (Contact us about this Publication)

Abstract

This paper describes the differences in communication strategies between good and poor services for people with severe or profound intellectual disability and complex needs.

As part of a wider research project into skilled support (Beadle-Brown et al, in submission), information about communication was collected using a range of measures. This included observations of alternative and augmentative communication, reviews of written information, and interviews with managers.

Most staff did not use appropriate and effective ways of communicating with people they supported. Despite staff rating 60% of people they supported as non-verbal, less than 20% of observed staff communication involved the use of AAC. A third of people were being supported in a team where communication was rated as good and appropriate most/all of the time. Services providing good support in terms of providing choice, assistance and higher levels of activity were also better at communicating with people.

Communication partnerships were significantly better in services which are providing skilled support in other areas. Person-Centred Active Support is one way in which staff can acquire these skills. This type of intervention, which aims to give staff the core skills necessary, may be necessary to ensure the success of communication interventions.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > HV1568 Disability studies
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Julie Beadle-Brown
Date Deposited: 20 Feb 2014 13:58 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 12:51 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/38391 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Bradshaw, Jill.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Beadle-Brown, Julie.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2306-8801
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Beecham, Jennifer.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5147-3383
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Mansell, Jim.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Bäumker, Theresia.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Leigh, Jennifer S.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3672-1462
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Whelton, Beckie.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Richardson, Lisa.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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