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Promoting positive communication environments: a service evaluation

Kunden Patel (Westminster Learning Disability Partnership, London, UK)
Laura Roche (Westminster Learning Disability Partnership, London, UK)
Nicola Coward (Westminster Learning Disability Partnership, London, UK)
Jacqueline Meek (Westminster Learning Disability Partnership, London, UK)
Celia Harding (City, University of London, London, UK) (Royal Free Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK)

Tizard Learning Disability Review

ISSN: 1359-5474

Article publication date: 1 November 2018

Issue publication date: 12 December 2018

877

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation of a programme of training and support provided to staff, which aimed to encourage supported communication environments for people with learning disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Training, monitoring and support for communication, specifically augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies, was provided by speech and language therapy staff to two residential services over 46 weeks. Staff and service user communications were observed pre- and post-intervention.

Findings

In one provision there was an increase in service user initiations and the use of some AAC strategies by support staff. In the other provision there was no change in service user initiations and a decrease in the range of AAC strategies used. It appears that some forms for AAC remain challenging for staff to implement.

Originality/value

This evaluation explores ways of using specialist support services to improve communication environments for people with learning difficulties. Possible reasons for differences in the outcome of the intervention are discussed. Future research into the types of communication interactions experienced by people with learning disabilities across the range of communication styles may be useful so that support staff can be better helped to provide sustained and enriched communication environments.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the management teams and all staff from Provision A and Provision B, as well as therapy assistants, speech and language therapy students from City, University of London and speech and language therapy students from University College, London who helped implement the STARS project. In addition, the authors would like to thank, H. Cockerill, Dr L. Henry, A. Hollings and A. Levin.

Citation

Patel, K., Roche, L., Coward, N., Meek, J. and Harding, C. (2018), "Promoting positive communication environments: a service evaluation", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 192-200. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-04-2018-0009

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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