Children with complex communication needs (CCN) experience serious problems in communication as a result of multiple disorders. They have impairments in perceiving, processing, understanding and/or expressing language (in speech, gestures and/or writing) (Van Balkom, 2018). The causes of these impairments can vary between children, as well as the consequences for their communicative development. To support children with CCN and their parents in their communicative development, they can attend special treatment groups at an early age. Typically, at these treatments groups, children and their parents are introduced to Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) when needed. Due to the complexity and diversity of their impairments, children with CCN differ greatly from each other and therefore also differ in the support they need in their communicative development (Wolters-Leermakers et al., 2023). Communication partners have a crucial role in children’s communicative development. Communication partners must employ (AAC-)strategies that support the communicative development and are tailored to the children’s capabilities (Van Balkom, 2018). Using these (AAC-)strategies, and thereby supporting communicative development, is a complex task for communication partners of children with CCN, such as parents and professionals. To support parents and professionals in this, we have conducted research into the effective elements of communicative treatment. Our research has clarified which general elements, based on the experience, knowledge and skills of parents and professionals, and based on scientific research, are suitable for the communicative (group) treatment of children with CCN. During our presentation, we will present the results of the research. Additionally, another aim of our research was to ensure that the acquired knowledge is usable and applicable for parents and professionals. During our presentation, we will demonstrate how we have translated our research findings into a practically applicable product. This product contains accessible tips and information for supporting the communicative development of children with CCN. For instance, practical tools to model language with and without AAC or information about how to stimulate communicative functions.
We will demonstrate the pilot-version of this product and share the results of a pilot study in which we tested the practical applicability.
Accessible Summary
* Communication partners have a crucial role in the communicative development of children with CCN.
* To support communication partners, such as parents and professionals, in this, we have conducted research into the effective elements of communicative treatment.
* The results of this research are translated into a practically applicable product for parents and professionals.
* The product contains accessible tips and information for supporting the communicative development of children with CCN, for example practical tools to model language with and without AAC and or information about how to stimulate communicative functions.
References
Balkom, H. van (2018). Kinderen Leren Initiatieven Nemen in communicatie. Toegang tot communicatie, taal en geletterdheid voor kinderen met meervoudige beperkingen. Amsterdam/Leuven: Acco.
Wolters-Leermakers, N., Knapen, V., van den Bogaard, K., Prins, M., Klomp, U., Sloots, M., van der Schuit, M., Ebels, W., van der Heijden, L. (2023). De sleutel tot geluk. Wat draagt bij aan de kwaliteit van leven van mensen met CMB? Van Horen Zeggen.
