Communication is Key!
- LeeAnn Rose
- Jan 12
- 5 min read
People are social creatures and strive to connect with others for various reasons. Safety, support, entertainment, companionship, survival, the list goes on.
Effective communication is the transfer of information from a sender to a receiver. Making a connection with others can be a challenge for some people if they have a physical or cognitive impairment. A break in the chain of communication can be isolating for some people.
A failure to communicate is never one-sided; both the sender of the message and the receiver of the message have a responsibility to the exchange of information. The person sending the information has a responsibility to share the information in a way that ensures the person receiving it can understand. The person receiving the information has a responsibility to express their understanding of the message. Below are some insights in how to communicate more effectively with people living with a variety of challenges.
Language is communication; basically, assigning a word to represent an item or idea. It's hard to communicate if you don't share a common language with the other person and will have to depend on other forms of communication to get the information across. Even when people speak the same language, there could be misunderstanding if the word being used has more than one meaning or is used as a slang term. Strive for common knowledge to build on and to express new ideas. Gestures and body language may be used to express an idea to someone speaking a different language.
When speaking to another person, avoid using unique terms until you establish their level of understanding on the topic being discussed. When listening to another person, express understanding by repeating the idea, being conveyed, in a new way or ask questions to ensure you truly understand.
Physical barriers to communication might include the inability to hear, speak or see. Tools have been designed to assist with communication for people living with these kinds of challenges. Sign language for hearing impaired, Braille writing for the visually impaired, communication apps on a tablet for people unable to speak are some examples of how people have over come these challenges.
What if you are trying to communicate with someone who uses sign language and you don't understand sign language? Body language, gestures or basic hand signals might be the common understanding for both participants in the conversation. Start with simple idea exchanges to see if you have shared understanding that you can build on; wave, smile, point, pantomime an action, etc. Even the effort of trying to understand can help the other person feel less disconnected.
What if the person can't see; how can their lack of sight affect their ability to communicate? They might not understand the description of an object. It's easy to use colour or shape as a descriptor for people who can see but how can you describe things to a person who doesn't have sight? Some people may have had sight at one point before they lost it so they may draw on memories to "picture" what is being described. It definitely makes it challenging for everyone to ensure a clear understanding. Be honest with the person if you don't know how to describe what you are trying to say, they may have other strategies to understand concepts that they can't see.
What if the person is nonverbal; they can hear and understand but struggle to communicate their understanding because they cannot speak. Many strategies have been developed to assist people living with this challenge. Picture boards, applications on a tablet or phone, sign language, etc. have been created to improve communication. Tools, like a tablet or picture board, make it easy for the person receiving the message to understand without having knowledge, as the applications "speak" for the person who is unable to speak. The best way to support an individual using a tool of this sort is to be patient and allow them time to put their communication into "words" using their tool of choice. Then repeat what you believe they are trying to say to confirm that you have understanding. It can be frustrating if they take a long time to say what they are saying, be patient. Just imagine what they are going through; this is the challenge they have everyday. An inability to speak does not determine the level of intelligence of a person; their inability could be caused by a number of reasons that have nothing to do with cognitive ability. Until they master a nonverbal method of communication, it's imperative that the people supporting them strive to understand their message until they learn to use their communication tools.
When exchanging information with a person who has a barrier to communicate, the person with out the challenge has to meet them at their level of ability. Even babies can communicate their needs by crying or reaching, we have to be receptive to what actions they are using to communicate their needs. We wouldn't expect a baby to tell us what is bothering them, we already understand that they can't speak yet. Crying can come in various forms and mean different things. Parents know what the child needs, from trial and error, when they hear a specific cry. Behaviour is communication. Seeing a behaviour repeated consistently, like always hiding before a dentist appointment, might be a communication that the person is afraid and trying to avoid what they fear.
I have been fortunate to work with people of all ages and abilities throughout my career and it has been my experience that all people have similar needs, regardless of their situation. They are people first; and people have a need to connect with others regardless of ability. I have seen effective communication from a person that was confined to a wheelchair and couldn't talk; it's there if you know what to look for. As a receiver, be open to the communication always, you never know when it will happen so you need to be ready. Being sensitive to other people's attempts at communication encourages an atmosphere of understanding and respect, especially if they are used to being ignored because of their inability to communicate the same as other people.
Final Thoughts
When we share information with another person, we must have a certain amount of common understanding. Without that connection, it can be difficult to come to the same conclusion. Making a connection is the responsibility of both parties if the exchange of information is to be successful. If someone has a barrier to communicating, it's the responsibility of the other person to meet them at their level of ability to achieve understanding. Using tools for communication help individuals overcome the challenges they are living with and allow them to be included in exchanging ideas and having a voice for themselves.
As a community, we must strive to hear everyone's voice! We all have things to contribute regardless of our level of ability. Together we can achieve great things!
Grannie Lannie
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