Assessment and Management of Communication Skills in Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

The relationship between communication and cognition which has been explored since mid-1900s is a highly contentious topic. Hypotheses from various researchers have experienced a gradual shift from cognitive/innate bases to social perspective of acquisition and development of speech and language skills in individuals with intellectual disability. This acquisition tends to be delayed or deviant (qualitative and /or quantitative). In the recent years, research in this area is experiencing a paradigm shift evolving from ‘incapacity' to ‘functioning' which is obvious in the clinical practice of assessment and intervention of speech and language skills in these individuals. Further, the rehabilitation process is experiencing a transition from clinician directed to child-oriented or hybrid approaches of intervention. This chapter will be a comprehensive document of recent trends in research and practice related to acquisition of language, assessment and intervention of communication difficulties for professionals working with intellectual disability.