Communication skill and behaviour disorder.

The aim was to identify changes in communication skills and behaviour disorder of 15 clients with learning difficulties 6 mo. and 1 yr. after they moved from large- to small-scale accommodations. Clients were allocated into a group of 6 with profound multiple learning difficulties, a preverbal group of 5, and a verbal group of 4. Communication skills were measured using the Preverbal Communication Schedule, and behavioural disorder was measured using the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist. Analysis showed that from the baseline to one year follow-up, there was a significant increase from baseline in social withdrawal by the clients with multiple difficulties but that there were improvements in communication skills of both preverbal and verbal clients. No control group was involved.