Learning to use the Internet and online social media: What is the effectiveness of home-based intervention for youth with complex communication needs?

E Grace; P Raghavendra; L Newman; Denise Wood; T Connell

doi:10.1177/0265659013518565

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Learning to use the Internet and online social media: What is the effectiveness of home-based intervention for youth with complex communication needs?

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Learning to use the Internet and online social media: What is the effectiveness of home-based intervention for youth with complex communication needs?

E Grace, P Raghavendra, L Newman, Denise Wood and T Connell

Child Language Teaching and Therapy, Vol.30(2), pp.141-157

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0265659013518565

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Abstract

complex communication needs

intervention

social media

social networks

youth

Youth with complex communication needs (CCN) face increased barriers to their social participation due to limited communication abilities and opportunities. Youth today use the internet as a social tool and youth with CCN may also benefit from internet use to increase their social participation. Five youth between the ages of 10-18 with CCN who are unable to use speech for everyday communication and require augmentative and alternative communication were provided with assistive technology and a tailored 1:1 intervention at home to learn to use the internet for connecting with others. Pre and post assessments measured changes in performance on internet use goals, social networks, loneliness and self-concept. Multiple measures were used to examine the impact of internet use for social networking on a range of outcomes and to gather emerging evidence in this area. Results showed that the intervention was effective in increasing performance and satisfaction with goals for increasing internet use to connect with others and for increasing the number of online communication partners. There was no significant change in loneliness or self-concept. This study shows that the internet may be a viable tool in increasing the social participation of youth with CCN. However, some youth and their families required intensive support and technical assistance to gain confidence in internet use and in use for social purposes.

Details

Title: Learning to use the Internet and online social media: What is the effectiveness of home-based intervention for youth with complex communication needs?
Authors: E Grace (Author) - Flinders University
P Raghavendra (Author) - Flinders University
L Newman (Author) - Flinders University
Denise Wood (Author) - University of South Australia
T Connell (Author) - Department for Communities and Social Inclusion
Publication details: Child Language Teaching and Therapy, Vol.30(2), pp.141-157
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1177/0265659013518565
ISSN: 0265-6590
Organisation Unit: Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450727602621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Education, Special; Language & Linguistics; Linguistics

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