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JCPSLP
Volume 19, Number 3 2017
Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
Table 1. An analysis of communication terminology in relation to aspects of inclusive communication
Communica-
tion term
Definition/explanation
Medical
model
Social
model
Applies to
some or
all specific
disabilities
Includes
all people
who have
difficulty
commu-
nicating
Easily
under-
stood
by lay
person
Terms referring to the individual
Communica-
tion disability
Communication disability
is a medical model term that has
been redefined through the WHO
International Classification
of Functioning, Disability, and Health
(ICF, WHO, 2001) and
the
International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and
Health: Children and Youth Version
(WHO, 2007). Thus, the
disability exists as a result of the interaction of the various
factors and not solely within the individual. A person’s health
condition may feature impairments of body structure and
function that combine with environmental and personal factors
to impact upon their communication and participation in society.
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Communica-
tion disorder/
impairment
Communication disorder/impairment
“is an impairment
in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend
concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems.
A communication disorder may be evident in the processes
of hearing, language, and/or speech. A communication
disorder may range in severity from mild to profound. It may
be developmental or acquired. Individuals may demonstrate
one or any combination of communication disorders. A
communication disorder may result in a primary disability or
it may be secondary to other disabilities” (American-Speech-
Language Hearing Association, 1993).
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Communica-
tion difficulty
Communication difficulty
“is a lay term that refers to people
who may or may not identify as having a communication
disability, but who may benefit from communication supports
implemented for people with communication disability. They
may have a hearing impairment, limited literacy or belong
to a culturally and linguistically diverse group. Each person
may require a differing types and/or amounts of resourcing,
depending on the context or activity, in order to feel included
in a range of community interactions” (Hartley Kean, 2016).
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Complex
communica-
tion needs
Complex communication needs
“refers to people who have
little or no speech, or speech that is difficult to understand.
The communication disabilities may be associated with a
wide range of physical, sensory, cognitive and environmental
causes which restrict/limit their ability to participate
independently in society. They and their communication
partners may benefit from using AAC methods either
temporarily or permanently” (Balandin, 2002; Speech
Pathology Australia, 2012).
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Communica-
tion support
needs
Communication support needs
is a term used to “encompass
the experience of a wide range of communication difficulties
associated with a number of different disabilities” (Law et al.,
2007, p. 6). “People have communication support needs if
they need support with understanding, expressing themselves
or interacting with others” (Scottish Government, 2011). They
need communication partners to be flexible in the way that
they communicate, and to give the individual the opportunity
to express themselves in the way that is best for them
(Scottish Government, 2011). The term focuses on the needs
arising from a communication difficulty, rather than on the
difficulty itself (Aitkin & Millar, 2002).
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Complex
communica-
tion support
needs
People with
complex communication support needs
require
support strategies from communication partners and/or the
use of specialised AAC equipment and resources, to support
their expression or understanding (K. Anderson, personal
communication 29 May, 2017).
No
Yes
Yes
No
No