Communication training for centre-based carers of children with severe or profound disabilities in the Western Cape, South Africa
Date
2012-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide a preliminary, qualitative review of an approach to
training centre-based carers in supporting basic communication development and providing
communication opportunities for the children with severe and profound disabilities in
their care. In South Africa, these children are often the most neglected in terms of planning
and providing appropriate interventions. For those with severe communication disabilities,
an additional lack is in the area of the basic human right to meaningful interactions and
communication. Sustainable strategies to provide opportunities for basic communication
development of these children are urgently sought. Several effective international and local
parent training programmes have been developed, but the urgent need remains to train
centre-based carers who are taking care of groups of diversely disabled children in severely underresourced
settings. Non-profit organisations (NPOs) have been exploring practical centre-based
approaches to skills sharing in physical rehabilitation, activities for daily living, feeding and
support for basic communication development. As a freelance speech therapist contracted by
four NPOs to implement hands-on training in basic communication for centre-based carers of
non-verbal children, the author describes a training approach that evolved over three years,
in collaboration with the carers and centre managements. Implications for training (for speech
therapists and for community-based rehabilitation workers) and for further research are
identified.
Description
CITATION: Geiger, M. 2012. Communication training for centre-based carers of children with severe or profound disabilities in the Western Cape, South Africa. African Journal of Disability, 1(1): 1-7, doi: 10.4102/ajod.v1i1.10.
The original publication is available at http://www.ajod.org
The original publication is available at http://www.ajod.org
Keywords
Children with disabilities -- Services for -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Children with disabilities -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Caregivers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Communicative disorders in children -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Western Cape
Citation
Geiger, M. 2012. Communication training for centre-based carers of children with severe or profound disabilities in the Western Cape, South Africa. African Journal of Disability, 1(1): 1-7, doi: 10.4102/ajod.v1i1.10