Having the ability to effectively communicate is a skill that should never be taken for granted. It can open up a different world of interaction that you may never have thought possible. Everyone has the ability to communicate. Some may question this as they may have never considered that communication doesn’t always have to be something that is spoken or written. I have found that through past experiences some of the best therapeutic relationships I have built did not consist of words being spoken but being able to truly understand one another through expressions, gestures, signs, symbols or music. These are not the only ways of interacting either. So why not be creative.
Individuals who we support have as much right to communicate as we do. As learning disability student nurses, we have a chance to adapt and make communication and information accessible so that everyone can feel involved and included.
As communication is such an important topic I thought I would share with you some of the tools I have found most valuable in my journey so far. Firstly, I would love to talk about the power of easy reads. This provides individuals with important information that is clear and not too complex whilst still maintaining the appropriate level of information. Easy reads can be created about anything and can also be personalised to suit each person’s needs. If you are looking for some examples to inspire you to create your own then I would suggest visiting https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/about/resources/er/ .
Symbols and pictorials are another great way for people to explore concepts and information. Many people have probably heard of the phrase ‘a picture can speak a thousand and words’ and, in this case, if used effectively I think they can do just that. By showing a symbol or picture it can help people to visualise and remember something they may have seen before. Pictures and symbols can reach a wide range of individuals and can also promote positive engagement.
Having the ability to sign is also a helpful tool. Some individuals may know British Sign language whilst others know Makaton. By familiarising yourselves with common phrases or words it can open you up to so many more opportunities to interact. Signing can give people a way of expressing themselves independently and by helping the people you support develop these skills can also increase their confidence and promote independence. If you would love to get involved in learning more Makaton signs I would recommend you visit ‘Makaton with Lucinda’ on twitter. This is a lovely way of seeing how signing can make a difference in so many ways.
I hope you find some of my recommendations useful and can also recognise the importance of being able to adapt and utilise different ways of communicating. Have fun whilst interacting and make connections that you will always remember.
Photos taken from- https://www.learningdisabilityservice-leeds.nhs.uk/easy-on-the-i/image-bank/
