Children's Experiences of Communication in Everyday Life Following Posterior Fossa Tumour Surgery--A Sense of Belonging While Navigating Reality
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| Title: | Children's Experiences of Communication in Everyday Life Following Posterior Fossa Tumour Surgery--A Sense of Belonging While Navigating Reality |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | K. Persson (ORCID |
| Source: | International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(1). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Brain, Cancer, Surgery, Language Impairments, Communication Problems, Speech Impairments, Children, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Sense of Belonging, Perspective Taking, Foreign Countries, Self Concept |
| Geographic Terms: | Sweden |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1460-6984.70174 |
| ISSN: | 1368-2822 1460-6984 |
| Abstract: | Background: Posterior fossa tumours (PFT) are the most common childhood brain tumours, and children treated for these tumours are at increased risk of persistent speech, language and/or communication difficulties. Such difficulties have often been described in association with the postoperative complication cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS), but can also occur in children without a period of mutism. Speech and language difficulties may affect communication, participation and social relationships. However, little is known about how children themselves experience communication in everyday life following PFT surgery. Aim: This study aimed to describe children's experiences of communication in their everyday lives following PFT surgery. Methods: An inductive qualitative content analysis was conducted based on semi-structured interviews with 10 children, aged 6 to 18 years at the time of the interview, carried out at least 1 year after PFT surgery. Interviews were adapted to the children's communicative abilities, using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) when needed, and a flexible, child-centred approach was used to capture their experiences. Results: Two overarching themes were identified: The theme "A thin line between belonging and not belonging" captured children's experiences of inclusion and exclusion through everyday communicative events; The theme "Navigating reality towards normality" captured how children expressed who they were and managed how they were perceived. Conclusions: While speech, language and/or communication difficulties were not explicitly mentioned, the children's descriptions reflected how the consequences of such difficulties shaped everyday communication and participation. Small, everyday moments could affirm or undermine belonging, and familiar friendships provided continuity during a time of change. Children also expressed needs, set boundaries and protected their identity while adapting to new circumstances. The findings underline the importance of listening to children and planning support that is flexible, responsive and grounded in their perspectives. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1495149 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Background: Posterior fossa tumours (PFT) are the most common childhood brain tumours, and children treated for these tumours are at increased risk of persistent speech, language and/or communication difficulties. Such difficulties have often been described in association with the postoperative complication cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS), but can also occur in children without a period of mutism. Speech and language difficulties may affect communication, participation and social relationships. However, little is known about how children themselves experience communication in everyday life following PFT surgery. Aim: This study aimed to describe children's experiences of communication in their everyday lives following PFT surgery. Methods: An inductive qualitative content analysis was conducted based on semi-structured interviews with 10 children, aged 6 to 18 years at the time of the interview, carried out at least 1 year after PFT surgery. Interviews were adapted to the children's communicative abilities, using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) when needed, and a flexible, child-centred approach was used to capture their experiences. Results: Two overarching themes were identified: The theme "A thin line between belonging and not belonging" captured children's experiences of inclusion and exclusion through everyday communicative events; The theme "Navigating reality towards normality" captured how children expressed who they were and managed how they were perceived. Conclusions: While speech, language and/or communication difficulties were not explicitly mentioned, the children's descriptions reflected how the consequences of such difficulties shaped everyday communication and participation. Small, everyday moments could affirm or undermine belonging, and familiar friendships provided continuity during a time of change. Children also expressed needs, set boundaries and protected their identity while adapting to new circumstances. The findings underline the importance of listening to children and planning support that is flexible, responsive and grounded in their perspectives. |
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| ISSN: | 1368-2822 1460-6984 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1460-6984.70174 |
