What every direct support worker needs to know about functional communication But didn't know who to ask. Hank Bersani March

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List some ways that people communicate

scenario You are in a foreign land where you do not speak the language. You need to find a bathroom (pretty quickly). You are in a foreign land where you do not speak the language. You need to find a bathroom (pretty quickly). How can a child communicate that need? How can a child communicate that need? How does an adult communicate that need? How does an adult communicate that need? What if you are in a high end department store trying to ask a young sales person who is dressed much better than you? What if you are in a high end department store trying to ask a young sales person who is dressed much better than you?

How does that person tell you: They don’t understand They don’t understand There is no public restroom There is no public restroom Or give you directions to the rest room Or give you directions to the rest room

List some ways that people communicate Expressive communication (encoding): Expressive communication (encoding): –Spoken word, sign, facial expression, body posture, written word, eye gaze –(Expressive communication can be unintentional). Receptive language (decoding) Receptive language (decoding) –Listening, receiving sign, reading, interpreting facial expressions and body language, etc.

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION? The exchange of information/ideas The exchange of information/ideas The process of encoding - transmitting - decoding The process of encoding - transmitting - decoding A message sent, a message received A message sent, a message received You speak - I understand You speak - I understand

What factors limit a person’s ability to communicate? Sensory issues Sensory issues Motor issues Motor issues Cognitive issues Cognitive issues Cultural issues Cultural issues

By definition… Communication is a two way street

Gunnar Dybwad said…..(1977) “I am convinced that we must listen to a far greater degree to individuals with disabilities. For a long time we thought those with severe disability could not learn; now we know we did not yet know how to teach. What we call the inability of persons with severe handicaps to communicate may well be our ineptness in listening. So we must learn to listen.”

CORE ASSUMPTIONS Everyone can communicate Everyone can communicate Everyone does communicate Everyone does communicate One can not not communicate One can not not communicate Everyone is a candidate for AAC Everyone is a candidate for AAC Life is the only prerequisite Life is the only prerequisite All of us are AAC users in one sense All of us are AAC users in one sense Adapted from ABLEDATA Inc..

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS Opportunities for Participation Access to a “System” + = Improved Communication

NOT BEING ABLE TO SPEAK IS NOT THE SAME AS NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO SAY

SOCIAL PURPOSES OF COMMUNICATION Expression of needs/wants “Could you please give me a hand?” Expression of needs/wants “Could you please give me a hand?” Information transfer “I live at th Street in Salem OR” Information transfer “I live at th Street in Salem OR” Social closeness “Hi babe, what’s your sign?” Social closeness “Hi babe, what’s your sign?” Social Etiquette ”Please pass the hot sauce.” Social Etiquette ”Please pass the hot sauce.”

tml/GL html tml/GL html Communication Bill of Rights

Six tenets of communication Communication is social behavior

Six tenets of communication Appropriate communication functions enable productive participation in interactions with others

Six tenets of communication Communication acts can be produced in a variety of modes

Six tenets of communication Effective communication intervention must fully utilize naturally occurring interactive contexts

Six tenets of communication Effective intervention must modify the physical and social elements of environments to invite, accept, and respond to communicative acts.

Six tenets of communication Service delivery must involve family members working collaboratively with a cadre of professionals and paraprofessionals.

Selecting the communication strategy Selecting the communication strategy Best fit Needs of the speaker Environmental considerations The communication partner Qualities of the message