communication awareness and acceptance · 2019-10-25 · communication awareness and acceptance...
TRANSCRIPT
Communication Awareness
and Acceptance
Office of Developmental Programs (ODP),
Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations
Krista Lewis, M.S.Ed.
Deaf and Nontraditional Communication Professional
Special Populations Unit
• Deaf Services Mailbox – [email protected]
• Lea Sheffield – Special Populations Unit Manager
• Lori Milcic– Deaf Services Coordinator
• Krista Lewis – Deaf and Nontraditional Communication Professional
More than Harry M.
• Harry M. Settlement
• Enhanced Communication Rate requests for the
Consolidated, P/FDSD, and Community Living waivers
• Updating the Communication Bulletin
• Capacity Building
• Communication:
– Technical assistance
– Resources
– Training
Special
Populations
Unit
Cell Phone Activity
• Take out your phone
• Find a meaningful picture
• Share the picture and moment or memory
with someone next to you
Why is it important to prioritize someone’s communication?
It is how you engage with people and the environment
Can make or break someone’s social inclusion
Can impact lifestyle circumstances and life transitions
Can build trust and a positive relationship with another person
Communication is individualized
Many modalities used
My Life, My Way-
Communication
I am listened to and
understood; my input is
valued. My family,
supporters, and
community listen to me
and communicate in
ways that work for me.Everyday Lives: Values in Action, 2016. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Communicationis…
A basic human need and right
Fundamental and fluid
Impacted by experiences, lifestyle,
circumstances, and trauma
Not the same for everyone
Disclaimers
Language ≠ Communication
Behavior is Communication
Defining the Terms
Language
• a conventional, formal system for communication
Speech
• communication by talking
Communication
• the successful exchange of ideas, feelings, and information between individuals
More Specifically
Languages
English
Swahili
American Sign Language
Spanish
Korean
Russian
Arabic
Modes of Communication
Verbal or Signed Language
Speech Generating Devices (ie. Tablets with a
Speech Generating App)
Picture Boards
Visual Gestural Communication (VGC)
Tactile Cues
Picture Exchange Communication System
(PECS)
Behavior- what happens when effective
communication is not accessible
Example: Boredom, Annoyance
Language:
English
“I can’t believe we
spent 3 hours in a
meeting that could
have been an email.”
Modes of Communication:
Body language, facial expression
A Simple Model
Expressive Receptive
A Comprehensive Model
• Receptive– Ability to comprehend
information through spoken
language, sign language, and/or
a mode of communication
– Understanding when others
communicate
– Often by the receiver
– Listening and understanding
– Can be understood or
misinterpreted
Expressive and Receptive Communication
• Expressive– Ability to share information
through spoken language, sign
language, and/or a mode of
communication
– Communication is understood
by others
– Often through the sender using
various/multiple modes of
communications (sometimes
more than 1 at the same time)
– Can be intentional or
unintentional
• Be concrete, speak slowly, check for understanding,
repeat as needed
• Refrain from jargon, slang, or abstract (use key words)
• When asking a question, give ample time to process
(pause)
• Keep gestures or visuals natural when used as
prompts/cues
• Use the person’s name to grasp attention
• Ask or say one thing at a time; multiple directions may
not be helpful
• Explain/show WHY
• When giving a request, alternate preferred and non-
preferred… give choices
• Keep your reactions neutral
Expressive Communicator: Strategies for the Sender
Receptive Communicator: Strategies for the Receiver
• Must understand the need for a
communication partner (receiver of
communication)
• Detect and connect
• Must establish trust- rapport is critical– Earliest communication (although not yet intentional) is
often done in the arms of a caregiver
– As communication is attempted later, it is likely done in
the presence or safety of a trusted caregiver
– Distrust can break the relationship or build resistance
• Whole body listening
• Hearing does not equal comprehension
*Impacts of internal and external factors vary for both the sender and receiver
• Sensory and environmental
• Smells
• Sounds
• Lighting
• Clutter
• Crowds
Internal Factors
• Culture, Experiences
• Health and physical barriers
• Nonverbal communication
• Emotions and tone of the communication
External Factors
- Mikaela Sheldt
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Describes various methods of communication that can help
people who are unable to use verbal speech to communicate.
• AAC is not just for people who have disabilities, it is used by
almost everyone on a daily basis
Writing Texting Facial Expressions
Meme
sSign
s
Vocal Expressions
Aided: uses some sort of
tool or device to support
communication.
Two Systems of AAC: Unaided: does not need
anything but your own body
to use unaided systems.Source: American Speech-Hearing Association (ASHA), 2019
Unaided:
Touch cues
• Body Language
• Visual Gestural
Communication
• Eye Gaze
• Haptics/Touch Cues
• Paralanguages
• American Sign
Language
• Foreign Sign
Languages
• Signed Exact English
• Pidgin Sign
Language
Aided:
Pencils and Pens
Paper
Instant Messaging
Speech Generating Devices (tablets, switches, etc.)
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
Braille
Picture Systems
Symbol Systems
Artifacts
Tactile Cues
Object of Referral
Categories of Assistive Technology
Low/Light Technology:
- Does not have an
energy source
- Requires little to no
training
- Most common
- Examples:
- Highlighter
- Squishy/stress balls
- Post-it’s
- Velcro
Mid Technology:
- May have an energy
source
- May require some in
depth training
- Least common
- Examples:
- Calculators
- Manual wheelchair
- Adaptive
switches/toys
- Adapted seating (ie
chair with seatbelt)
High Technology:
- Has an energy
source
- Requires training
- Examples:
- Computer
- Electronic Tablet
- SMART Board
- Motorized
wheelchair
- Specialized Alarm
Systems (ie
Flashing light
doorbell)
The Overlap Between AT and AAC
Name of Communication System Assistive Technology AAC
Spoken Language No No
American Sign Language No Yes (unaided)
Foreign Sign Language No Yes (unaided)
Sign Exact English No Yes (unaided)
Pidgin Sign Language No Yes (unaided)
Tactile Sign Language No Yes (unaided)
Visual Gestural Communication No Yes (unaided)
Paralanguage No Yes (unaided)
Haptics/Touch Cues No Yes (unaided)
Eye Gaze No Yes (unaided)
Voice Output Devices Yes (high tech) Yes (aided)
PECS Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)
Print Systems Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)
Braille Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)
Symbol Systems Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)
Artifacts Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)
Tactile Cues Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)
Object Of Referral Yes (low/light tech) Yes (unaided)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Think about this:
The average 18 month old child has been exposed to 4,380
hours of oral language at a rate of 8 hours/day starting at
birth. A child who has a communication system and receives
speech/language therapy two times per week for 20-30
minutes per session will reach this same amount of language
exposure in 84 years.
- Jane Korsten
Supporting Language and Communication Development
• Provide them an environment that is rich in their primary
language
• Provide support in another language or communication
system the individual may know
• Use images of concrete/familiar objects
• Model
• Use real objects or artifacts
• Use multiple tools or modes of communication to get your
point across
• Don’t give up!
Supporting Language and Communication
Symbols
If you have one hundred of these, you have a
dollar. What are we talking about? We are talking
about the penny. The penny is the most common
coin in the United States. The U.S. Mint produces
billions of these coins each year.
The U.S. Mint made its first copper penny in
1793. Since then, there have been many different
pictures on pennies. Abraham Lincoln’s picture
went on the penny in 1909. The other side showed
wheat. Today, Lincoln’s face is still on the penny.
Pennies are now made of zinc. They have only
a tiny bit of copper in them. Over the years, some
things have changed with the penny. But one thing
remains the same. A penny is still worth one cent.
Language and Communication Collaboration
Concrete Image
If you have one hundred of these, you have a
dollar. What are we talking about? We are talking
about the penny. The penny is the most common
coin in the United States. The U.S. Mint produces
billions of these coins each year.
The U.S. Mint made its first copper penny in
1793. Since then, there have been many different
pictures on pennies. Abraham Lincoln’s picture
went on the penny in 1909. The other side showed
wheat. Today, Lincoln’s face is still on the penny.
Pennies are now made of zinc. They have only
a tiny bit of copper in them. Over the years, some
things have changed with the penny. But one thing
remains the same. A penny is still worth one cent.
Pictorial Calendar/Visual Schedule
Monthly calendar with
real images-Days can be crossed off
when completed
Daily schedule with real
images
-Activities can be removed
when completed
What is Visual Gestural Communication (VGC)?
VGC is a method of communication that
provides a means of bypassing
vocabulary and strict grammar rules of a
language. It is a mode of communication
that involves gestures, facial expression,
and body language use and analysis.
VGC…
• Is a natural response to wanting to communicate
• Includes all forms of gestures to communicate
• Deictic gestures (pointing, showing)
• Natural gesture (action-based gestures)
• Homesigns or self-invented gestures
• Signs and adapted signs
• Cultural/conventional gestures
VGC…
• Is not sign language, although it may include a form
of signed communication
VGC Basics
• Getting an individual’s attention– Tap the individuals shoulder
– Make sure you have eye contact
– Use VGC to convey message
• Questions, statements, commands
• Giving reinforcement/feedback
• Name signs
Picture Dictionary
Communication is Everyone’s Job!
• Set high expectations
• Meet the person where he/she is at
• Modify communication, when necessary
• Communication- think ping pong, not darts
– One person shouldn’t always be the sender or the receiver
• Detect and connect
• Share about an individual’s communication
• Learn to listen AND listen to learn
“We have better outcomes when we start earlier, but
the next best time to start is today.”
Thank you!
Questions?