Interaction between children with cerebral palsy and their peers 2: Understanding initiated VOCA-mediated turns

Abstract

This paper is the second in a series of two that examine interactions between children with cerebral palsy who have complex communication needs and use voice output communication aids (VOCAs) and their naturally speaking peers. The current study expands on the analysis from the companion paper by exploring how problems emerge for naturally speaking children in understanding initiated VOCA-mediated turns. Conversation Analysis (CA) is used as a method for exploring the children's practices in organizing conversations into two dyads. The relationship between the sequential organization of the children's talk and the understanding of initiated VOCA-mediated turns is emphasized. Implications for clinical intervention are discussed.

Keywords:

• Augmentative and alternative communication
• Voice output communication aids
• Children
• Peer interaction
• Conversation analysis