A comunicação suplementar e/ou alternativa na vida de pessoas com paralisia cerebral, adultas e institucionalizadas

Abstract

Objective: To understand how the resources utilized in Alternative and Argumentative Communication – AAC can influence the communication and the life of two institutionalized adults with Cerebral Palsy and without oraly articulated speech, and can also influence the institution where they are. Mehtod: Exploratory research utilizing case study procedure with observation. During six months fonaoaudiological sessions with two subjects have been filmed and registered by writing. During the sessions, communication boards have been constructed using Picture Communication Symbols (P.C.S.). The therapist also observed the routine of the institution to obtain context data. Results: work should positive effects on the adults subjetivity as they could show autonomy in the presence of other people, with the use of P.C.S. The institution reacted negatively to this new condition. Conclusion: although AAC could be an effective instrument on helping institutionalized people to get out of a position of isolation giving them voice, it alone is not enough. Political and ideological conditions must be modified in order to allow such instrument to be effective.