Date on Honors Thesis

Spring 5-7-2026

Major

Communication Disorders

Examining Committee Member

Alison Brown, Dr., Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Kelly Vaughan, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Mary Grace Starks, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

For someone with a disability such as Down syndrome (DS), they often present with deficits in speech and language. These individuals typically require a caregiver for their physical, mental, and social needs, and their caregiver also often serves as their primary communication partner. This study explored caregiver perspectives on how they facilitate communication including their experiences with speech therapy services, augmentative and alternative communication, and community communication supports. A caregiver of an adult with DS participated in a structured interview to discuss their experiences as a caregiver for an individual with complex communication needs. The data from the interview was analyzed using phenomenological analysis to determine key themes. Results indicated that the caregiver consistently facilitates communication for their child even after their dismissal from speech therapy services. Data analysis categorized the caregiver’s perceptions of their roles and experiences into four themes: knowledge, advocacy and leadership, resources, and independence. This study contributes to the limited literature about the experiences of caregivers of adults with DS, and its findings can be used by professionals such as speech-language pathologists to understand caregivers’ roles in their child’s communication abilities. Future research should be conducted with a wider range of participants who have children with Down syndrome of varying ages.

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