A Deinstitutionalized Retarded Adult's Use of Communication Functions in a Natural Setting

This study examined the communication functions expressed by a moderately retarded adult in a group home setting. Communication functions were examined in three conversational speaking situations: subject talking to counselors; subject talking to residents; and subject talking to self. The communication functions of interest were information‐giving, information‐giving to self, command, criticism, praise, describe, imitation, and repetition. Results indicate that the subject used all of the nine communication functions examined and demonstrated variability of function use within the speaking situations. Examination of communication functions across speaking situations suggests that the adult retarded subject is aware of at least some social conventions necessary for using various functions in different speaking situations. 1981 Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists