Communicating the unknown: descriptions of pictured scenes and events presented on video by children and adolescents using aided communication and their peers using natural speech. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murray, Janice; Sandberg, Annika Dahlgren; Smith, Martine M.; Deliberato, Débora; Stadskleiv, Kristine; von Tetzchner, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Augmentative and alternative communication. Volume 34:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Aided language -- peers -- pictured scenes -- video events -- co-construction; People with disabilities -- Means of communication -- Periodicals; Communication devices for people with disabilities -- Periodicals; 616.85503
• DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2017.1420690
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-4618

Abstract

Abstract: The facility to describe scenes and events is important in everyday communication, but little is known about the description skills and strategies of young people using aided communication. This article explores how 81 children and adolescents using aided communication and 56 peers using natural speech, aged 5–15 years, described pictured scenes and events presented on video to a partner who had no prior knowledge of the content. The group who used aided communication took longer and included fewer elements in their descriptions than the reference group; however, the groups did not differ in their use of irrelevant or incorrect elements, suggesting that both groups stayed on topic. Measures related to aided message efficiency correlated significantly with measures of spoken language comprehension. There were no significant differences between groups for their descriptions of pictured scenes and video events. Analyses showed both unpredicted group similarities and predictable differences, suggesting key components for future research consideration.