Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

13Project titleContributorsSummaryParticipation profiles of adolescents with and without complex communicationneeds: The relationship between social networks, communication and activityengagementSkye McGregor (Flinders University), Dr Parimala Raghavendra (University Supervisor),Kylie Opperman and Emma Colston (Novita Supervisors)For all children, social networks (relationships with peers, family and others in the context ofschool, home and the wider community) play an important role in community participationand life satisfaction. It is within this ‘peer culture’ that children develop their identity andvalues, and adolescence is a crucial period for forming identity and a time of rapid expansionof social circles – with a shift from parent-centered to peer-centred relationships. Ineffectivesocialisation can be a significant barrier to activity, participation and enjoyment.There have been no studies specifically targeting social networks, participation andpreference for leisure and recreation activities in adolescents with physical disability andcomplex communication needs (CCN). These adolescents are likely to face additionalbarriers to socialisation and participation than adolescents without disabilities, and thisstudy aims to develop profiles of social networks and activity and participation levels of bothgroups. The findings may provide guidelines for appropriate and effective interventions foradolescents with CCN.MethodResultsImplicationsTwo groups of adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years will participate in the study.Adolescents with physical disabilities with complex communication needs will be comparedto adolescents without physical disabilities. Participants will be administered threeassessment tools – Social Networks (a communication inventory for individuals with complexcommunication needs and their communication partners), the Children’s Assessment ofParticipation and Enjoyment and the Preferences for Activities of Children. The participantswill be interviewed individually using these tools which will require self-report with or withoutthe assistance of parents/caregivers. Speech pathologist of participants with CCN will alsobe interviewed using Social Networks. The data will be described to determine possibleassociations between communication abilities and participation and describe profiles for thegroups.Data has been collected from four adolescents with CCN and their speech pathologists.Further data collection and analysis is ongoing.For clients – patterns of participation, especially information on social networks ofadolescents with CCN, will provide a better understanding of the factors that influenceparticipation and also expectations of their participation.For services – this information is crucial is planning effective interventions and to createpolicies that increase opportunities and accessibility for all adolescents to participate in avariety of activities.StatusOngoing