Verbal Communication in People With Learning Difficulties: An Overview

Abstract

If people with learning disabilities are to be effective social agents, the capacity to communicate with others through speech, sign or symbol manipulation is of central importance. Unfortunately, severe and profound learning disabilities are frequently associated with very poor communicative skills and remediation is therefore essential. Theories of normal language development may be of value in suggesting remedial strategies but, of these, structural approaches that emphasise language organisation are less helpful than functional accounts of language use. The latter have led to many successful intervention programmes based in the domestic and social environments of learners. Research is continuing to produce rapid progress in communication intervention but the application of scientific findings is critically dependent on high levels of understanding by, and co‐operation between, professionals in such disciplines as nursing, clinical psychology, speech therapy, teaching and management.

Citation

Remington, B. (1997), "Verbal Communication in People With Learning Difficulties: An Overview", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 2 No. 4, pp. 6-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/13595474199700032