Interpreting communication of people with profound and severe learning difficulties

Porter, J., Ouvry, C., Morgan, M. and Downs, C. (2001) Interpreting communication of people with profound and severe learning difficulties. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 29 (1). pp. 12-16. ISSN 1354-4187 doi: 10.1046/j.1468-3156.2001.00083.x

Abstract/Summary

The present paper highlights some of the issues involved in interpreting the communication behaviours of people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLDs). Both inference and intention can play an important role in the communication process, and this raises a number of difficulties and dangers where one of the communication partners is not in a position to correct misunderstandings. The present authors discuss the importance of validating communication and pose a number of key questions to ask those who are most significant in the life of a person with PMLDs. A case study is provided that illustrates a number of these issues.