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Attuning: A Communication Process between People with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disability and Their
Colin Griffiths1, Martine Smith2
1The School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Summary
Communication challenges in severe intellectual disability were studied. Attuning, a bidirectional process, was identified as key to regulating communication for individuals with severe or profound intellectual and multiple disability.
Area of Science:
- Communication studies
- Disability research
- Qualitative methodology
Background:
- Individuals with severe and profound intellectual disability often have limited verbal communication.
- Non-verbal communication in this population can be ambiguous and idiosyncratic.
- Effective communication strategies are crucial for this group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the regulatory process in communication for individuals with severe/profound intellectual disability.
- To describe the methodology used to study this communication process.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving two dyads (person with disability and caregiver/teacher).
- Filming of school-based activities.
- Transcription and grounded theory analysis of videotapes.
Main Results:
- The central process identified is 'attuning'.
- Attuning calibrates and regulates communication.
- This process is integral to the proposed theory.
Conclusions:
- Attuning is a bidirectional, dyadic communication process.
- Understanding attuning can enhance communication for people with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disability.
- This insight supports interaction partners in facilitating communication.
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