Augmentative and alternative communication in adolescents with severe intellectual disability: a clinical experience.
OBJECTIVE
Augmentative and alternative communication devices proved to be effective in patients with severe intellectual disability to overcome their communication impairments. In order to give a contribution for design of augmentative and alternative communication systems that better meet the needs of beginning communicators we decided to report our clinical experience about using augmentative and alternative communication in adolescents with severe intellectual disability.


METHODS
Five patients who underwent a long time traditional speech rehabilitation program (at least 5 years) with scant improvements in linguistic function were recruited and evaluated by means of the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale before and after a three years augmentative and alternative communication intervention carried out by a multidisciplinary team.


RESULTS
After the rehabilitative intervention patients showed an improvement in communication, daily living skills and socialization as measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
Augmentative and alternative communication is an effective rehabilitation approach to people with severe intellectual disability and impairments in linguistic expression. Moreover augmentative and alternative communication is a useful tool allowing these patients to increase their social participation also enhancing their self-esteem. Our clinical experience confirmed these topics also in adolescents who underwent a long time traditional speech rehabilitation program with scant improvements, providing practical information to clinicians.
Uliano
D
D
Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine A.S.R.E.M., Campobasso, Italy. ulianodomenico@yahoo.it
Falciglia
G
G
Del Viscio
C
C
Picelli
A
A
Gandolfi
M
M
Passarella
A
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D012951:Socialization