Work

Exploring the communication access and participation of a young adult with autism spectrum disorder with limited speech and inpatient nursing staff

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study aimed to describe the nature of interactions between health care professionals and a young adult with autism spectrum disorder with limited speech during an inpatient stay. An observational study was conducted to describe the interactions between a young adult on the autism spectrum and 14 of his inpatient health care providers. Naturalistic video-recordings were taken, and behavioral coding was completed to measure the frequency and type of communication turns taken. The providers took 93% of conversational turns. Most provider turns (76%) were non-obligatory in nature and did not invite the young adult to engage in turn-taking. The young adult only had access to his communication system during one of the 27 interactions (4%); however, when he had access to his system, he demonstrated higher levels of turn-taking. Health care providers should offer patients with limited speech more communicative turns, provide adequate wait time, and ensure communication systems are available during all inpatient interactions.

Source: Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology

DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2024.2420179

Authors: Jessica Gormley, Savanna Brittlebank, Janice Light

Institutions: University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Pennsylvania State University

Language: English

Topic: Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green