PCS Champs Let’s Reflect on OARS Skills

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Ok, now lets get down to business and talk about OARS

OARS Open Ended Questions Affirmations Reflections Summaries (Offer the Message)

Open Ended Questions No leading. No prompting. No interrupting. Tell me more about… I would like to know how you feel about… I am interested in… Would you share with me…

Open Ended Questions “Would you share with me a little more about how he tells you he is hungry?” “I am interested in what meal time looks like for your family.” “Tell me more about how it feels to breastfeed your baby.”

Affirmations

Must Be Genuine Affirmations are statements that recognize client strengths. They assist in building rapport and in helping the client see themselves in a different, more positive light.

Affirmations “Wow you are such a great mom! You are so attentive to your baby’s needs” “I can see how much you care for your baby, you have made some fantastic changes during this pregnancy” “What a fantastic dad you are. I see how much you care for your children”

Reflective listening Engages the client and builds rapport. Can help motivate people towards change Reflective listening shows an interest in what people say and respect for their inner wisdom. Reflective listening appears easy, but it may take practice.

Reflective listening helps close the loop in communication to ensure that breakdowns don’t occur. “So you feel...” “It sounds like you...” “You’re wondering if...”

1. Paraphrasing or Content: The listener uses different words to say the same thing as the speaker, asking if this is what the speaker meant. 2. Reflecting feeling or Meaning: The listener emphasizes emotional aspects of communication through statements that express feelings; this is the deepest form of listening. 3. Repeating: The listener repeats phrases, staying close to what the speaker has said.

Mom says “My kids wont eat vegetables and I have just stopped offering them, so I do not keep throwing out food” What if you say…“It sounds like you would like some new vegetable recipes” If you misunderstood what was said, is that wrong?

Summaries Summaries can be used throughout a conversation, they are particularly helpful at transition points. ABC (E) D

Summaries Begin with a statement indicating that you are making a summary. For example: “So it sounds like you…” “Let me see if I understand so far...” “Here is what I’ve heard. Tell me if I’ve missed anything...”

Summaries Be brief. End summary statements with a check-in. For example: “Did I miss anything?” “Did I leave anything out?” “Does that sound right?”

Summaries Checks-in with the client to ensure you capture everything and recognize if there are any traffic moments she may be in. Depending on the person’s response to your summary statement, you will understand better how to offer your message.

BONUS To Summaries: It may lead naturally to planning for or taking concrete steps toward the behavior change goal.

Summarize this… Foster mom of a 2 year old Johnny is in the clinic. ABC (E) are all within healthy ranges, and foster mom is unsure about specific health history. She says this is her first experience with a foster child and it is challenging. Her youngest child is 18 years old and she does not remember her son being picky. Johnny has been with her for less than a week, and she is struggling to figure out if he is eating enough or happy in her home. She continues to offer meals and snack ideas she found on “My Plate” throughout the day, but sometimes he just wont eat. She doesn’t know what else to do.

You could say… “It sounds like you have had a busy week. You have found some fantastic resources to offer Johnny a variety of foods. It seems like you have tried a number of ideas and you are looking for some other options or suggestions. What a lucky guy he is to be with such a rock star mom, who is looking out for him!”

Offering the Message Based on how your summary lands, you can begin to offer you message.

No need to bend over backwards Offering the message is client based. When you summarize all major topics you can begin to formulate the message on what their concerns or interest.

You meet… An IPN mom with a 6 week old comes to your clinic. In the lab you learn there are no medical concerns, and mom feels great about baby’s growth. ABC (E) are all normal, you notice that baby plotted at the 85 th percentile, but this is the first plot. You move onto your “D” assessment… What tool and what invite?

You Learn… She is excited to see where he is at on the growth grid. Breastfeeding is great, no concerns and baby nurses at least 8 times everyday She offers the bottle when she feels baby might still be hungry after nursing

What Open Ended Questions Would You Ask… The AGT MC Nick Cannon wants to know

She Says… “I am unsure about how much he was actually taking from the breast, I started to give formula at 3 weeks. But, I know that he likes the breastmilk more, so I prepare the formula to be creamier. I do one ounce of water and one scoop, I think it is similar to the hind milk I have recently read about.” No other “D” concerns come up

What Affirmations Do You Offer? “Great job on breastfeeding!” “Your breastmilk is providing great things for your baby right now, feel proud at all that you have accomplished in 6 weeks.” “I can see you are a great mom”

How Would You Reflect? “It sounds like you enjoy breastfeeding but you are concerned if he is receiving enough breastmilk, so you offer the formula just in case. Did I get that right?”

She Then Says… “Yes, it is a special time for just the two of us! I really do enjoy breastfeeding him. When he finishes he gets that sleepy happy look on his face, it’s too cute! Then sometimes he will begin to suck on his hand again and I think he is still a little hungry and that’s when I offer the bottle.”

What Would You Summarize? “To recap what we have talk about today, let me begin with you are a fantastic mom who is doing great things for you baby. He is growing well and such a happy and healthy little guy. You said you are enjoying the bonding time you have with him when breastfeeding, but sometimes he may throw you a curve ball by sucking on his hand shortly after a feed so you offer 1 oz of “creamier” formula. Did I leave anything out?”

Did You Hear Change Talk? “Yes, it is a special time for just the two of us! I really do enjoy breastfeeding him. When he finishes he gets that sleepy-happy look on his face, it’s so cute! Then sometimes he will begin to suck on his hand again and I think he may still be a little hungry and that’s when I offer the bottle.”

What Message Would You Offer? Hunger and Satiety Cues Skin to Skin Cluster feedings Overstimulation? Formula Preparation Anything else? “Would it be alright with you if I share some information with you?”

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Questions or Comments?

Next PCS Call August 7 at 9 AM Guest Speaker Zachary Holden