The effect of context on communication: a study of the language and communication skills of adults with acquired brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of changing contexts on language and communication skills of adults with acquired brain injury.


METHODS
Repeated measures design.


METHODS
Four adults with brain injury were observed in four contexts with pragmatic language and communication behaviours recorded. Contexts included baseline, two intervention phases (a 3-day camp and post-camp period) and 2-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Participants demonstrated improvements in constructive language production during intervention phases. Results indicate structure, cueing and positive experiences created language which was observed to overcome the influence of organic damage. However, at follow-up, the language and communication levels returned to baseline levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinically, these results have implications for the development of sustained interventions for language and communication skills in community-based rehabilitation programmes. Creating supporting contexts may serve as an effective means of improving language and communication behaviours, while also facilitating optimum community inclusion.
Bellon
Michelle L
ML
Department of Disability Studies, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. michelle.bellon@flinders.edu.au
Rees
Roger J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003142:Communication; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors