The “Big 5” and beyond: Nurses, paid carers, and adults with developmental disability discuss communication needs in hospital

Adults with developmental disability and little or no speech need to communicate with nurses in hospital to (a) express physical needs, (b) discuss health, (c) convey intelligence and emotions, (d) connect socially, and (e) control the environment. All stakeholders need access to a variety of communication strategies to support communication of these needs.