Interprofessional working between intellectual disability nurses and speech and language therapists

• Published in: Learning disability practice Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 27 - 31
• Main Authors: O'Toole, Laura, Nelson, Sophie, O'Connor, Megan, Carey, Eileen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London RCN Publishing Company Limited 21.03.2018; RCNi
• Subjects: Adults; Augmentative and Alternative Communication; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Collaboration; Communication; Communication Skills; Environment; Graphemes; Information Processing; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Language; Language Usage; Learning disabilities; Medical ethics; Mental Disorders; Nurse specialists; Nurses; Nursing; Nursing care; Observation; Outcome Measures; Patient-centered care; Physical Examinations; Profiles; Rating Scales; Receptive Language; Research Tools; Resistance (Psychology); Screening Tests; Severe Intellectual Disability; Speech; Speech therapists; Teaching Methods; Ireland
• ISSN: 1465-8712; 2047-8968
• DOI: 10.7748/ldp.2018.e1867

Communicating effectively, interprofessionally and with adults with intellectual disabilities, and relevant support staff are vital components of person-centred communication assessments. Essentially, registered nurses in intellectual disability (RNIDs) - the term used in Ireland -and speech and language therapists (SLTs) need to work well together. This article describes communication assessment tools used with and for adults with intellectual disabilities, and discusses the skills and expertise inherent in the role of RNIDs and SLTs when supporting comprehensive holistic communication assessments. The article also makes recommendations for practice.