Challenges in the communication between ‘communication vulnerable’ people and their social environment: An exploratory qualitative study

Stans, Steffy E. A.; Dalemans, Ruth; Witte, Luc de; Beurskens, Anna

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2013.05.021

Cited by 38 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Immediate effects that may be perceived in the short term are stronger motivators than effects that can only be assessed in the long term. Consequently, when individuals do not immediately experience positive effects, long-term implementation is more difficult to achieve (Johnson et al, 2006;Rombouts, et al 2016a;Stans, Dalemans, de Witte, & Beurskens, 2013). In addition, strategies that require considerable physical and thinking effort are likely to be abandoned when these efforts outweigh the benefits (Johnston, 2006).…”

Section: Staff Abstractigning Beliefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beliefs and habits: staff experiences with key word signing in special schools and group residential homes

Rombouts

Maes

Zink

2017

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Even though use of aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) by staff has been extensively researched, few studies relate to unaided AAC strategies such as key word signing (KWS). We explored the KWS views of two groups: direct support staff in group residential homes and teachers from special education secondary schools. We examined transcripts from individual semi-structured interviews with five direct support staff and five teachers using thematic analysis. Participants discussed consistency of KWS use and reasons for implementing KWS. Compared to direct support staff, teachers described more use of KWS throughout the day with more individuals with intellectual disability. Teachers discussed use of KWS to facilitate students' present and future interactions, while direct support staff primarily discussed immediate effects. Participants experienced KWS implementation as a learning process and aimed to turn the use of manual signs into a routine habit. This required considerable self-monitoring, and the effort that this continuous self-feedback required, combined with environmental factors, could hinder KWS implementation. These preliminary findings suggest that preservice KWS training and on-site KWS assistance may need to be enhanced.

show abstract

Section: Staff Abstractigning Beliefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beliefs and habits: staff experiences with key word signing in special schools and group residential homes

Rombouts

Maes

Zink

2017

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Limitations in any of the several areas of functioning can lead to someone being classified as communication vulnerable; for example, those with sensory, emotional, physical and cognitive difficulties. 7 Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools can enable communication vulnerable people to express themselves and understand others, supporting self-advocacy. Such tools can also support professionals in understanding clients and enabling a partnership.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Talking Mats to support conversations with communication vulnerable people: A scoping review

Stans

Dalemans

Witte

et al. 2019

TAD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The objective was twofold: to provide an overview of the objectives, target groups and settings for which Talking Mats has been used (Part 1), and an overview of empirical scientific knowledge on the use of Talking Mats (Part 2). MethodsIn this scoping review scientific and grey literature was searched in PubMed, Cinahl, Psychinfo, Google, and Google Scholar. Articles that described characteristics of Talking Mats or its use were included. For Part 2, additional selection criteria were applied to focus on empirical scientific knowledge. ResultsThe search yielded 73 publications in Part 1, 12 of which were included in Part 2. Talking Mats was used for functional objectives (e.g. goal setting) and to improve communication and involvement. Part 2 showed that Talking Mats had positive influences on technical communication, effectiveness of conversations, and involvement and decision making in conversations. However, the level of research evidence is limited. ConclusionsTalking Mats can be used to support conversations between professionals and communication vulnerable people. More research is needed to study the views of people who are communication vulnerable and to study the effects of Talking Mats. ConclusionTalking Mats can be used to support communication and involvement and for functional objectives during the healthcare process. The empirical studies showed that Talking Mats had a positive influence on several communication aspects and involvement in conversations for people with aphasia, learning disabilities, H T T M tween communication vulnerable people and professionals or caregivers. However, the body of scientific knowledge about Talking Mats is limited, due to the designs of the studies and the limited number of studies per target group. Establishing evidence-based recommendations for using Talking Mats in daily practice requires more scientific knowledge.

show abstract

“…They struggle to express their needs, wishes and values, and/or to understand the information in conversations with professionals. This may be the result of mild to severe communication difficulties, related to their sensory, emotional, physical or cognitive abilities . Numerous underlying aetiologies and diagnoses can lead to functional communication difficulties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Professionals are often not aware of the clients’ communication vulnerability or do not know which strategies they can use to enable clients to express themselves or to understand the professional during dialogue conversations . Other studies have reported that professionals can experience feelings of anxiety, fear and inadequacy when communicating with people with aphasia …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who said dialogue conversations are easy? The communication between communication vulnerable people and health‐care professionals: A qualitative study

Stans

Dalemans

Roentgen

et al. 2018

Health Expectations

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveTo gain insight into how communication vulnerable people and health‐care professionals experience the communication in dialogue conversations, and how they adjust their conversation using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or other communication strategies.MethodsCommunication vulnerable clients and health‐care professionals in a long‐term care institution were observed during a dialogue conversation (n = 11) and subsequently interviewed (n = 22) about their experiences with the conversation. The clients had various communication difficulties due to different underlying aetiologies, such as acquired brain injury or learning disorder. Results from the observations and interviews were analysed using conventional content analysis.ResultsSeven key themes emerged regarding the experiences of clients and professionals: clients blame themselves for miscommunications; the relevance of both parties preparing the conversation; a quiet and familiar environment benefitting communication; giving clients enough time; the importance and complexity of nonverbal communication; the need to tailor communication to the client; prejudices and inexperience regarding AAC. The observations showed that some professionals had difficulties using appropriate communication strategies and all professionals relied mostly on verbal or nonverbal communication strategies.ConclusionProfessionals were aware of the importance of preparation, sufficient time, a suitable environment and considering nonverbal communication in dialogue conversations. However, they struggled with adequate use of communication strategies, such as verbal communication and AAC. There is a lack of knowledge about AAC, and professionals and clients need to be informed about the potential of AAC and how this can help them achieve equal participation in dialogue conversations in addition to other communication strategies.

show abstract

Challenges in the communication between ‘communication vulnerable’ people and their social environment: An exploratory qualitative study

Cited by 38 publications

References 20 publications

Beliefs and habits: staff experiences with key word signing in special schools and group residential homes

Beliefs and habits: staff experiences with key word signing in special schools and group residential homes

Using Talking Mats to support conversations with communication vulnerable people: A scoping review

Who said dialogue conversations are easy? The communication between communication vulnerable people and health‐care professionals: A qualitative study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About