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Speech and language pathologists’ perceptions and practises of communication partner training to support children’s communication with high-tech speech generating devices

TEGLER, Helena
PLESS, Mia
JOHANSSON, Monica Blom
SONNANDER, Karin
2018

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Purpose: 

This study examined speech and language pathologists’ (SLPs’) perceptions and practices of communication partner training with high-tech speech generating devices (SGDs).

 

Method: 

Fifteen SLPs were recruited throughout Sweden. The SLPs answered a study-specific questionnaire on communication partner training in relation to communication partners to children with severe cerebral palsy and intellectual disability. The results were analysed with descriptive statistics (closed-ended questions, responses on Likert scales) and content analysis (open-ended question) using ICF-CY.

 

Results:

Twelve SLPs completed the survey. Half had no or one training session with communication partners in the last year. One-third never used documents for goal-setting. Half seldom or never taught communication partner strategies. Three quarters only used verbal instructions. The main obstacles were environmental factors.

 

Conclusions: 

This study contributes valuable knowledge about high-tech SGD interventions targeting communication partners. The high-tech SGD intervention may benefit from goal-setting, extended number of training sessions and a range of instructional approaches.

Enabling appropriate personnel skill-mix for progressive realization of equitable access to assistive technology

SMITH, Emma M
GOWRAN, Rosemary Joan
MANNAN, Hasheem
DONNELLY, Brian
ALVAREZ, Liliana
BELL, Diane
CONTEPOMI, Silvana
ENNION (WEGNER), Liezel
HOOGERWERF, Evert-Jan
HOWE, Tracey
JAN, Yih-Kuen
KAGWIZA, Jeanne
LAYTON, Natasha
LEDGERD, Ritchard
MACLACHLAN, Malcolm
OGGERO, Giulia
PETTERSSON, Cecilia
POUSADA, Thais
SCHEFFLER, Elsje
WU, Sam
2018

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Background and Methods: This paper reviews the current capacity of personnel in enabling access to assistive technology (AT) as well as the systems and processes within which they work, and was reviewed, discussed, and refined during and following the Global Research, Innovation, and Education in Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit.

 

Findings: Key concepts addressed include a person-centred team approach; sustainability indicators to monitor, measure, and respond to needs for service design and delivery; education, research, and training for competent practice, using the six rehab-workforce challenges framework; and credentialing frameworks. We propose development of a competence framework and associated education and training programs, and development and implementation of a certification framework for AT personnel.

 

Conclusions: There is a resolve to address the challenges faced by People globally to access assistive technology. Context specific needs assessment is required to understand the AT Personnel landscape, to shape and strengthen credentialing frameworks through competencies and certification, acknowledging both general and specific skill mix requirements.

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