Abstract
Introduction: Community participation is a vital part of childhood, being a fundamental right with benefits including developmental skills, friendships, and social inclusion. However, existing literature indicates that community participation is not equally accessible to children with disabilities. Further, little is known about communication accessibility for these children, especially those with complex communication needs (CCN). Increased understanding of existing research into community participation for children with CCN is therefore needed.
Method: A scoping review regarding community participation experiences for children with disabilities was conducted, with a specific focus on community participation of children with CCN. National and international research and policy documents were included. Analysis of the literature highlight children’s and parents’ voices.
Results: Research is currently limited to five studies that explored community participation for children with CCN. These studies were conducted in Australia, Canada, and England with two studies asking parents to complete questionnaires, while the other three interviewed child (3-21 years) and parent dyads. This literature indicates that children with CCN have significantly reduced community participation compared to their typically developing peers, impacted by their age, intelligibility, use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and communication partners. Despite the barriers, these children show a strong desire for community participation and activities with a social focus.
Conclusions: Results indicate that community participation is not equally accessible to children with CCN. Future research is necessary to identify how speech pathologists, families, and community members can collaborate to create communication accessible community activities for children with CCN.
Method: A scoping review regarding community participation experiences for children with disabilities was conducted, with a specific focus on community participation of children with CCN. National and international research and policy documents were included. Analysis of the literature highlight children’s and parents’ voices.
Results: Research is currently limited to five studies that explored community participation for children with CCN. These studies were conducted in Australia, Canada, and England with two studies asking parents to complete questionnaires, while the other three interviewed child (3-21 years) and parent dyads. This literature indicates that children with CCN have significantly reduced community participation compared to their typically developing peers, impacted by their age, intelligibility, use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and communication partners. Despite the barriers, these children show a strong desire for community participation and activities with a social focus.
Conclusions: Results indicate that community participation is not equally accessible to children with CCN. Future research is necessary to identify how speech pathologists, families, and community members can collaborate to create communication accessible community activities for children with CCN.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - Aug 2023 |
| Event | 32nd World Congress of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) 2023: IALP 2023 - The Aotea Centre, Auckland, New Zealand Duration: 20 Aug 2023 → 24 Aug 2023 https://ialpauckland2023.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | 32nd World Congress of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) 2023 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Together Towards Tomorrow |
| Country/Territory | New Zealand |
| City | Auckland |
| Period | 20/08/23 → 24/08/23 |
| Other | The IALP World Congress occurs every three (3) years – Triennial. It brings together the global community of affiliated societies to one event, hosted by regional national societies/Local Organising Committee. IALP Vision IALP has a global vision to facilitate better understanding, knowledge and care of all those with communication and swallowing disorders. IALP Mission The mission of IALP is to improve the quality of life of individuals with disorders of communication, speech, language, voice, hearing and swallowing. IALP will: i. facilitate science, education, and clinical practice through international cooperation and collaboration; ii. create and share knowledge, skills and information; iii. provide a platform for international networking and advocacy. |
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