Speech language group therapy in the context of written language for deaf subjects in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT

This article aims to investigate deaf peoplés reasons to participate in a therapeutic group and to analyze some of their reflections on the use of written Portuguese language produced inside this group within a sociocultural perspective. It was carried out at a School for the deaf located in Curitiba, Paraná State/Brazil in a partnership with researchers of a university located in Southern Brazil. Eight deaf subjects, aged 14–33, participated in the group therapies. Data were collected during a semester of group therapies, with 18 weekly meetings, two-hour long each. The findings revealed that group therapy for deaf teenagers and adults had a significant result in these participants’ writing. This type of intervention can allow researchers to be tailored to meet deaf people's specific needs in the written language.

KEYWORDS:

• Sociocultural perspective
• written language
• deafness
• speech language therapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Ana Cristina Guarinello – [email protected] – is a Speech language Therapist. She took her master degree in Education at University of Bristol/UK. She took her doctoral degree in Linguistics at University Federal of Paraná. She has experience in language studies, acting especially in the following thematics: dialogic activities in deafness process, language, deafness and education, deaf people literacy process. PHONE:[phone]. AFFILIATION: Teacher of the Speech language therapy graduation course and in the Communication Disorders Master and Doctoral Program of University Tuiuti of Paraná.

Giselle Massi – [email protected] – is a Speech language therapist. She took her master and doctoral degrees in Linguistics at University Federal of Paraná. She has experience in language studies, acting especially in the following thematics: dialogic activities in aging process, intergenerations meeting through linguistic discursive practices, promotion of literacy and quality of life for institutionalized elderly people. PHONE:[phone] AFFILIATION: Teacher of the Speech language therapy graduation course and in the Communication Disorders Master and Doctoral Program of University Tuiuti of Paraná.

Ana Paula Berberian – [email protected] – is a Speech language therapist. She took her posdoc in Linguistics at University Federal of Paraná, her doctoral degree in History and her Master degree in Communication Disorders at Catholic University of São Paulo. She has experience in language studies, acting especially in the following thematics: dialogic activities in literacy process, intergenerations meeting through linguistic discursive practices, promotion of literacy. PHONE: [phone]. AFFILIATION: Teacher of the Speech language therapy graduation course and in the Communication Disorders Master and Doctoral Program of University Tuiuti of Paraná.

Rita Tonocchi – [email protected] – is a Speech language Therapist/Pathologist. She took her master degree in the Communication Disorders and her doctoral degree in Linguistics at University Federal of Paraná, in Phonetics and Phonology. She has experience in language studies and acts in an interdisciplinary team that treats and acts with craniofacial congenital deformities and genetics syndrome. PHONE:[phone]. AFFILIATION: Teacher of the Speech language therapy graduation course and in the Communication Disorders Master and Doctoral Program of University Tuiuti of Paraná; Speech language Therapist/Pathologist. She also is also a coordinator of the clinic CAIF/AFISSUR – Brazilian National reference center in craniofacial congenital deformities and genetics syndrome.

Silvana Mendonça Lopes Valentin – [email protected] – is a teacher. She took her master degree in Communication Disorders at University Tuiuti of Paraná. She is taking a PhD at the same university. She has experience in language studies, inclusive education, language and literacy of deaf people. PHONE: [phone]. AFFILIATION: Teacher of Education and Especial Education in the graduation and post graduation courses at Technology Federal University of Paraná.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Council (CNPq) Brazil [grant number 303356/2013-8].