Communication skills & needs of adults with learning disabilities v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Survey of communication skills and needs amongst adults with learning disabilities attending a day facility in Norwich
IRAS ID
162491
Contact name
K T Bunning
Contact email
Research summary
Communication is a basic human need. It is widely acknowledged that communication difficulties are common amongst the population with severe learning disabilities. In addition, many individuals will have various, associated impairments of hearing, vision and motor skills. The presence of such difficulties is likely to affect social behaviour and participation, the ability to make decisions and access to healthcare. The question for carers, parents and staff is how best to support people in the communication that happens as part of everyday life.
In order to answer this question we need to gather information about the scale and nature of communication difficulty and need in the familiar contexts of everyday life. A range of methods is required to reflect individual communication skills and repertoires that are likely to be variable. In addition, the multidimensional nature of language and communication means that our choice of assessment methods should aim to capture functional communication in the everyday context. That is, assessment must not restrict itself to looking at the person’s skills and difficulties in isolation, but should look at communication as it occurs in everyday relationships or partnerships, e.g. with carers and staff.
A pilot study will be conducted in a single site where adults with learning disabilities, aged 18-30 years, receive a day service. The mixed methodology will include the use of standardised communication assessments, observation of naturally occurring communication between support staff and individuals with a learning disability,communication checklists and semi-structured interviews with members of staff who know the individual well.The overarching question is: what is the scale and nature of communication need amongst adults with learning disabilities attending a day service facility in Norwich? The study will be conducted in one site - a day facility for adults with learning disability. Participant involvement will last for 8 months.
REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
14/IEC08/1015
Date of REC Opinion
15 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion