Developing the personal narratives of children with complex communication needs associated with intellectual disabilities: what is the potential of Storysharing®?

Karen Bunning (Lead Author), Lynsey Gooch, Miranda Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)
21 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Sharing personal experience in narrative is challenging for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The aim was to investigate the potential of Storysharing® intervention.

Materials and Methods: The study involved eleven pupil-educational supporter dyads at a special school. Storysharing® was implemented over a fifteen-week period. Personal narratives were captured on video pre- and post-intervention. The data were analysed for discourse and narrative.

Results: Significant differences revealed a decline in ‘query-answer’ sequences and an increase in supporter use of ‘prompts’. Post-intervention there were fewer story episodes. Narrative structure showed gains in action sequences leading to climax, and in closing elements, indicating a more complete narrative.

Conclusions: The Storysharing® intervention appears to be associated with changes to the dyadic, personal narratives illustrating its potential.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)743–756
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Volume30
Issue number4
Early online date22 Jun 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2017

Keywords

  • communication
  • discourse
  • intellectual disability
  • narrative

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