‘I just stopped pushing’

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that communication partner training is an effective means to alter the use of communication aids. Partners use many types of facilitative strategies and practices during aided interaction. Despite the study findings, communication aids are often unused, and communication partners feel that using them is challenging. Aim and method: This article describes the positive change that occurs in a mother’s practices during aided conversation with her son after a video-based intervention. The research method is conversation analysis. Results: The analysis demonstrates how before the intervention, the mother pushed her son to use a speech-generating device, and how after the intervention she facilitated his use of the device by using it together with her son, and by positioning herself as an equal conversationalist who shared her thoughts. Conclusion: The results of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of different communication partner practices and offer new ideas for updating the general recommendations for facilitating aided conversations.