Publication Date
5-2023
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
Jenny Burton, Lauren Bland, Jo Shackleford
Degree Program
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Degree Type
Master of Science
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine first responders’ experiences and perceptions of working with individuals that have complex communication needs (CCN) using a questionnaire.
METHOD: First responders, including firefighters (n = 23), police officers (n = 12 ), and medical personnel (n = 9), completed a questionnaire developed by the primary investigator. The questionnaire was distributed by hyperlink or QR code and completed via Qualtrics.™ Items were related to the first responder’s ability to communicate with individuals with CCN, as well as the types of messages that individuals with CCN may need to generate or respond to in an emergency.
RESULTS: The majority of first responders often or sometimes serve individuals with CCN. They may be aware of the challenges that individuals with CCN face when communicating and can identify these individuals. However, first responder’s may or may not have participated in training related to working with this group. Most first responders do not have support available when working with individuals with CCN. First responder’s ability to communicate with individuals with specific communication disorders and/or users of aided or unaided augmentative and alternative communication was varied. Responses to open-ended questions revealed information about being able to generate and respond to questions related to personal information, medical issues, and safety of themselves and/or others during an emergency.
CONCLUSIONS: First responders will serve individuals with CCN. Continued professional training related to improving first responder’s knowledge and skills when working with individuals with CCN may be beneficial. Speech-language pathologists should consider treatment goals related to communicating in an emergency.
Disciplines
Communication Sciences and Disorders | Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Speech Pathology and Audiology
Recommended Citation
Cunningham, Avery, "First Responder's Experiences & Perceptions of Working with Individuals with Complex Communication Needs" (2023). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 3645.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/3645