Article

This study aimed to explore how adults with severe acquired
communication difficulties experience and make decisions about the communication
methods they use. The primary objectives were to explore their perceptions of
different communication methods, how they choose communication methods to use in
different situations and with different communication partners, and what
facilitates their decision-making. METHOD: A qualitative phenomenological
approach was used. Data collection methods were face-to-face video-recorded
interviews using each participant's choice of communication method and e-mail
interviews. The methodological challenges of involving participants with severe
acquired communication disorders in research were addressed in the study design.
Seven participants, all men, were recruited from a long-term care setting in a
rehabilitation hospital. The data analysis process was guided by Colaizzi's
(1978) analytic framework. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified:
communicating in the digital age - e-mail and social media, encountering
frustrations in using communication technologies, role and identity changes and
the influences of communication technology and seeking a functional interaction
using communication technologies. CONCLUSION: Adults with acquired communication
difficulties find digital communication, such as e-mail and social media, and
mainstream technologies, such as iPads, beneficial in communicating with others.
Current communication technologies present a number of challenges for adults with
disabilities and are limited in their communicative functions to support desired
interactions. The implications for AAC technology development and speech and
language therapy service delivery are addressed.

Langue : ANGLAIS