Communication Support Needs in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Its Relation to Quality of Life

Abstract

Research suggests that individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience difficulties in communication, ranging from intelligibility issues to more severe problems in the use and comprehension of spoken, written or sign language. Despite the negative effects that the inability to communicate have on quality of life (QoL), not much research has explored the relationship between communicative competence and QoL in the adult population with ID. The aim of this study was to describe the global communication profile of a sample of 281 adults with ID recruited from Grupo AMÁS Social Foundation, who differed in their level of communication support needs (CSN). The relationships between communicative competence and CSN with QoL were further examined. The results showed lower QoL indices for those participants characterized by their limited use of discourse and inability to exhibit certain communicative purposes, with the largest differences in the dimensions of self-determination, social inclusion, interpersonal relationships, emotional wellbeing and personal development. Overall, low levels of QoL were found for all participants, with even lower scores for the group identified as having CSN. A multiple regression model revealed that having speech/discourse competence is a powerful predictor of QoL, along with the level of disability and having the communicative competences to express likes and preferences or to establish new relationships. This clear relationship between communication and QoL is an important argument for disability support services when it comes to setting communication supports as a priority and as an important preventive step towards the protection of those at risk of exclusion.

Barriers and Facilitators to Healthcare Access in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders and Communication Difficulties: an Integrative Review

“…Communication difficulties (CD) are prevalent among individuals with IDD; an estimated 57.9% of those with intellectual disabilities (ID) and 40% of those with ASD struggle with communication ( Autism Statistics and Facts , n.d. ; García et al, 2020 ). These difficulties involve challenges in sending, receiving, processing, and/or comprehending abstract ideas, verbal and nonverbal communication, and/or graphic symbol systems and range from mild to profoundly severe (Definitions of Communication Disorders & Variations, 1993 ).…”

Intellectual Disability Profiles, Quality of Life and Maladaptive Behavior in Deaf Adults: An Exploratory Study

“…These findings underscore how severe early childhood language deprivation impacts communication skills [ 10 ], even in our population where great effort has been taken to optimize access to communication through sign language in adult life. Other research in individuals with intellectual disabilities could show a strong association between communicative competences and QOL [ 37 ], which highlights the importance of access to language and communication. In contrast to the findings of Sparrow et al 2005, in the present study with a sample who is prelingually deaf with mild cognitive deficits, the socialization domain appeared to be the weakest [ 15 ].…”

Health support of people with intellectual disability and the crucial role of support workers

“…Several studies have confirmed the importance of communication around the health of people with intellectual disability and suggest training professionals. These topics are also reflected on in literature; several studies have suggested teaching communication skills to support workers to improve health information exchange [ 59 , 65 – 67 ], and other studies have suggested training for health professionals on communication with people with intellectual disability specifically [ 68 – 70 ]. Therefore, care provider organisations can facilitate communication training and make training tools accessible for their staff [ 71 ].…”