Author(s): Naim SALKIÄ, Emira Å VRAKA, Ana PAVLOVIÄ
Regarding the fact that people with cerebral palsy have hearing problems, in terms of its reduction, and intact hearing is a major predictor of successful development of verbal communication, these persons may have difficulty developing and using verbal forms of communication. The aim of the study is to examine the prevalence communication forms in persons with cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and other associated difficulties. The study was done on a sample of 120 respondents. The total sample of subjects was divided into four subsamples. The results of the study showed that the verbal form of communication is used by 74.17% of persons with cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and other associated difficulties. In majority of persons with cerebral palsy, verbal communication is difficult, despite the fact that they use it as the dominant form of communication. Verbal communication is difficult because 56.60% of these persons have speech difficulties. Persons with cerebral palsy fail to master the verbal form of communication, not only because of speech motor difficulties, but also because of hearing impairment, the direct consequence of which is the inability or limited ability to develop oral-vocal speech and language. Nonverbal form of communication is represented with 21.66%. Of the total percentage of respondents who use nonverbal form of communication, 10.90% of respondents use nonverbal form of communication because they failed to master the verbal form of communication due to hearing impairment, and the remaining 10.76% of respondents failed to master verbal form of communication due to cerebral palsy, meaning paralysis of speech organs. The bilingual form of communication is represented by 4.17%. These persons have mild speech problems caused by mild hearing loss and/or mild damage to the muscles of the speech organs, as a result of cerebral palsy. These persons are not able to develop verbal communication completely. Their verbal communication is limited, so they are forced to use elements of nonverbal communication in their daily communication.
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