Communication supports in residential services for people with an intellectual disability

Support staff were asked what were the important things they did to support people with an intellectual disability and communication difficulties. • Support staff said that they understood that facilitating people to communicate effectively could improve the quality of life of these people. • However, support staff said they did not always have the training or resources to provide this support:Support staff need to learn more about how to support people with an intellectual disability and ensure their right to communicate is upheld:This study explores front-line staff knowledge and perceptions of how people with intellectual disability residing in residential services are supported to communicate effectively. Participants (n=138) completed a self-report questionnaire adapted from an instrument developed by DeSimone & Cascella (2005) Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 17(1): 1. Support staff recognise that facilitating people with an intellectual disability to communicate is an important part of their role. Support staff indicate that when the importance of supporting communication is recognised and prioritised, it has a marked impact on the quality of life of people availing of residential services. However, front-line staff indicate that they do not always have the knowledge or resources to provide such supports. Lack of specialist support services such as speech and language therapists is identified as a constraint. It is suggested that an organization-wide commitment is required across front-line services to ensure that the right of people with an intellectual disability to communicate is upheld.