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Home > Continuum of Communication Independence > Context-Dependent Communication

Context-Dependent Communication

What is "Context-Dependent" Communication?

If "emerging" communication is when there is no reliable symbolic communication, you might guess that the next type of communication is when the individual has achieved some symbolic communication. And that is right.

So, a definition:

A "Context-Dependent" Communicator has SYMBOLIC COMMUNICATION that is RELIABLE, but it is limited to particular CONTEXTS or PARTNERS.

Note the words in capital letters above; they have special significance:

SYMBOLIC COMMUNICATION: As mentioned earlier, "symbolic" communication does NOT mean the use of visual symbols. It means any communication in which something (e.g. a word, sign, picture, etc.) represents a concept or meaning. For example, sounds symbolize meaning in our speech while letters and words represent meaning in our writing, and in AAC we use symbols you can hear, see or feel. Symbolic language permits us to talk beyond the "here and now" about things in another time or place.

RELIABLE: means that the individual is able to communicate what he/she intends to communicate, not accidentally push another key or convey a message that was not intended.

LIMITED CONTEXTS: this means that the individual is only able to talk about certain topics and/or only able to communicate in certain settings or activities, e.g. snack time, circle time (for kids) or in speech therapy (for adults).

LIMITED PARTNERS: this means that the individual is able to communicate only with some people in daily life, e.g. with mom (for kids) or a spouse (adults).

What does "context-dependent" communication look like?

What might keep someone from advancing to "independent"?

  1. Limited spelling ability
  2. Vocabulary - for only particular contexts
  3. Vocabulary - not personal or useful
  4. Limited experience with new partners
  5. Limited opportunity to practice communication in natural contexts
  6. Hidden hearing impairment
  7. Hidden vision impairment
  8. Mismatch of device and motor control
  9. Fear of AAC techniques
  10. Low expectations of other people
  11. Lack of opportunities to communicate
  12. Lack of AAC services

Typically the individual has to rely on either:

1) AAC techniques with vocabulary chosen by others, for example:

  • symbol displays
  • word boards
  • communication books
  • communication devices

OR

2) AAC strategies that are effective only with familiar partners, for example

  • severely unintelligible speech
  • strategies that require learning by the partner (e.g. eye-gaze, partner assisted scanning, etc.)
  • devices with output that is not useful with strangers (e.g. devices with poorly intelligible speech output or screens that are unreadable outdoors).

Other Characteristics:

The individual may or may not have:

    • significant motor impairments
    • cognitive abilities at age-level
    • language abilities at age-level

Case Examples of Context-Dependent Communication