Publication: Assessment of communication adjustment in oral language production and use in social contexts among children with mental disabilities in special units in Vihiga county
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2023-09
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Effective communication has a pivotal role in the fundamental aspects of human existence.
Language serves as the fundamental framework for facilitating communication.
Communication adjustment is the act of modifying one's communication style in accordance
with the interlocutors and contextual factors in order to enhance comprehension. Children with
mental impairments experience a delay in their overall development, particularly in their
cognitive ability, as compared to typically developing children. As a result, individuals
experience difficulties in speech and language, resulting in impaired communication
effectiveness. Consequently, they experience discrimination. The present study aimed to
investigate the efficacy of communication adjustment in oral language use among children with
mental disorders. The study was conducted with the aim of achieving three objectives: firstly,
to evaluate the various communication adjustment activities that impact speech production and
utilisation; secondly, to establish the correlation between these adjustment activities and the
oral language use in social settings; and finally, to assess the impact of care givers on the
language use in social contexts of children with mental disabilities. The utilisation of
communication accommodation theory was employed to establish the connection between the
variables and to fulfil the stated objectives. The research utilised a descriptive survey design.
The sample for this study was selected from the specialised units of Vihiga County. The
primary instrument employed for data collection was the observation schedule. The timetable
was augmented through the inclusion of interviews, questionnaires, and focused discussion
groups. The study instruments' validity was evaluated by professionals from the languages
department at Mount Kenya University. The gadget produced data of both qualitative and
quantitative kind. The data was subjected to analysis utilising descriptive statistical techniques,
such as frequency counts and tabulation. The research revealed that engaging in communicative
adjustment activities had a positive impact on the speech production and usage of children with
minor mental disorders residing in Vihiga County. This necessitated language educators to
possess a comprehensive understanding of several communicative adjustment actions. The
teachers' comprehension of the adjustment activities and their effective implementation
consistently contributes to the improvement of speech production and utilisation in mentally
challenged youngsters. The study revealed a significant correlation between communicative
adjustment skills and oral language usage among children with mental disorders in Vihiga
County.The study revealed that individuals who utilised interactive activities within a home
setting to facilitate the development of communication skills in children with modest mental
disorders had notable improvements in their spoken language proficiency. Research has
revealed that the implementation of early intervention programmes aimed at enhancing
language skills in children with modest intellectual impairments has resulted in notable
improvements in their oral language proficiency. The study further observed that language
instructors and care givers exert a significant impact on the language production and use of
children with mental disorders in Vihiga County. The impact of language instructors and care
givers on the language production and usage of children with mental disorders can be either
beneficial or detrimental. The linguistic patterns employed by care givers exert a significant
impact on the language creation and utilisation of children who have mental disorders. The
proficiency and expertise of the language instructor have a significant impact on the linguistic
development and use of children with cognitive impairments. The significance of both the
number and quality of care givers' verbal interactions is crucial in facilitating language creation
and use among children with mental disorders, since these factors work together
synergistically.
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Keywords
communication, discrimination, proficiency, mental disorders