D2 - DESCRIBE COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE NEEDS AND PREFERENCES OF INDIVIDUALS AND OTHERS
Learning outcome: Understand effective communication.
Barriers to communication:
"A communication barrier is anything that prevents us from receiving and understanding the messages others use to convey their information, ideas and thoughts. They can interfere with or block the message you are trying to send" (Kumbakonam, 2016). There are a number of factors which can act as a communication barrier, these include:
Environment
Medical
Language
Personal factors
What is the difference between needs and preferences?
A need is a requirement whereas a preference is where someone may prefer one option over another.
Task!
Types of Communication
Create a poster to identify the various ways a health and social care professional might communicate with his or her patients and colleagues when providing care and support within a hospital environment.
Try and research new and innovative styles to include as well as more standard approaches. Use some of the keywords from the word search above to help you.
Examples of some preferences and needs:
Built-in screen readers
Technology that allows people with little or no vision to access and interact with digital content, for example websites and online books
The technology works by reading out loud what is on the screen - some screen readers can translate to Braille
Click on the image to see a video of how screen readers work
Voice synthesisers
An electronic system that creates speech - it is used by people who have conditions that limit their speech and verbal communication skills.
Click on the image to generate some voices
Makaton
A language programme to support spoken language
Works by using signs/ symbols alongside speech - therefore is useful for those who have limited speech
Limited speech is often picked up during childhood, therefore most would use Makaton as a child and then drop this when they have developed speech
Some children may continue to use Makaton as teenagers/ adults
Click on the image to learn some useful Makaton signs
Objects of reference
Items that are used to represent something - useful for those who have Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities or visual impairments
It is a very subjective tool, as different objects might mean different things to individuals
Click on the image to see a quick video on objects of reference
Objects-of-Reference.pdfPicture Exchange Communication System
A training package for children and adults with autism and other communication difficulties.
Enables individuals to start a conversation using a picture
Click on the image to see a short video on PECS
Interpreters
Interpreting means to hear what someone has said, and communicating those same words in another language.
This might be a foreign language for example Spanish, or it could be a specialist language such as British Sign Language
Interpreting can take place in many ways for example in person, or via the phone
Click on the image to see how to work with interpreters
Translator
Translation refers to written material - it means to read a text and then write/ produce it in another language.
This might be a foreign language for example from English to Bengali, or a specialised written language such as Braille.
Click on the image to find out what translators do
Advocate
An advocate helps people to have their voice heard, by speaking on their behalf
An advocate may also assist in writing official letters and attending meetings, assessments and reviews.
Click on the image to find out more about advocacy
