Occupational therapy and alternative communication: Collaborative intervention with communication partners of a child with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational therapy can use alternative communication resources, from a systemic perspective, for the occupational engagement of children with cerebral palsy who have limitations in oral and/or written communication. Objective: To describe collaborative intervention procedures in occupational therapy using alternative communication performed by communication partners of a child with cerebral palsy. Method: This is applied research, of an experimental nature and with a qualitative approach. The communication partners (mother, intern of the occupational therapy course, and the teacher) of a child with cerebral palsy participated in the research. Instruments used in the Comunica_PC Program were used to identify the child's initial communication skills, characterize the participants, select the figures for the communication board, analyze the footage and analyze the interlocutors' perception of the intervention procedures. The collection and analysis were structured in phases: Phase 1: Initial knowledge of the participants, Phase 2: Theoretical Training, Phase 3: Practical Training, Phase 4: Creation of the alternative communication resource, and Phase 5: Perception of the interlocutors after the implementation of the CSA. Results: The theoretical and practical training of the communication partners was obtained, including raising their awareness through dynamics and practical training. Such intervention procedures were essential elements for the learning of the communication partners when using the CSA resources. Conclusion: The Comunica_PC Program was a motivating strategy as a means of learning the interlocutors to use CSA in a child with cerebral palsy.