Changing Socio-Cultural Models and Policy Programs in Rehabilitation of Persons With Communication Disorders

Abstract

The history of rehabilitation of communication disorder has journeyed from magical-religious conceptualizations through biological-medical approaches to the contemporary rights-based paradigm, wherein the person-in-environment is emphasized. The understanding of its nature and characteristics, classification, etiology, treatment, social perception, and practices, including law-making about the affected persons, have all moved in tandem with the temper of the times. This chapter attempts to outline the salient course of these changes under two sections: (1) changing models and paradigms and (2) impacts on policy programs in areas of health, education, economy, housing, and social security with special reference to the Indian sub-continent. Illustrative domains of social change in areas of education are specifically highlighted with appropriate case vignettes. The endnote raises oncoming challenges, issues, and problems related to communication disorders in the emergent dynamic socio-cultural matrix for generation next parents and children.