Communication Training
The adult or child you're caring for may find it difficult to communicate because of a physical health problem – such as hearing difficulty, a problem with their eyesight or a developmental disorder – or because of a disorder affecting their brain, such as Alzheimer's disease or stroke.
Communication problems can come on gradually or happen overnight. If they're sudden, you will need to re-evaluate how you communicate with the person you care for.
Consider your tone of voice, how quickly you speak, and how you use body language and gestures to emphasize what you are saying. Find out what helps them or makes your communication clearer.
Someone who has a physical or mental illness or disability may be affected by your own and other people's reactions to their condition. This could change their ability to communicate.
Types of communication problems
Language disorders
Language disorders are problems understanding or using words. They can be triggered by a stroke or brain injury.
Children learn to talk by listening to the people around them, and mimicking sounds and mouth shapes. It helps to talk to your child, and encourage sounds and speech from an early age. If their progress seems to be delayed, take them to a doctor for a check-up.
Some people grow out of these disorders during childhood, while others live with them throughout their adult life.
Selective mutism
Selective mutism sometimes described as a "phobia of talking", is an anxiety disorder that stops children speaking in certain social situations, such as in school lessons or in public. However, they're able to speak freely to close family and friends when nobody else is listening – at home, for example. If your child is selectively mute, be patient. Don't put pressure on them or bribe them to speak.
Find out more about selective mutism.
Communication problems after a stroke
A stroke can cause mental and physical impairments, and make communicating with someone difficult. The person who has had the stroke may find it hard to form words or understand what you say to them. This may make it difficult for you to work out what they want.
If the person has problems with speech, language, writing or swallowing, they can be referred for speech and language therapy to help them regain those skills. When you communicate with someone who is recovering from a stroke, it's important to give them your full attention and try to avoid any background distractions. Try to speak clearly and at a normal volume. Make sure you're listening and watching for the person's reactions, as not all communication is verbal. It's also important that you don't pretend you've understood them if you haven't. Don't try to speak for them.
Sign language
Sign language is a way of communicating visually, using hand gestures, facial expressions and body language. There are hundreds of different types of sign language in use across the world.
British Sign Language British Sign Language (BSL) is the sign language used by deaf people in the UK. BSL uses hand gestures, finger spelling, lip patterns and facial expressions.
Communication problems can come on gradually or happen overnight. If they're sudden, you will need to re-evaluate how you communicate with the person you care for.
Consider your tone of voice, how quickly you speak, and how you use body language and gestures to emphasize what you are saying. Find out what helps them or makes your communication clearer.
Someone who has a physical or mental illness or disability may be affected by your own and other people's reactions to their condition. This could change their ability to communicate.
Types of communication problems
- Stammer
- Cleft palate
- Brain injury
- Hearing problem
Language disorders
Language disorders are problems understanding or using words. They can be triggered by a stroke or brain injury.
Children learn to talk by listening to the people around them, and mimicking sounds and mouth shapes. It helps to talk to your child, and encourage sounds and speech from an early age. If their progress seems to be delayed, take them to a doctor for a check-up.
Some people grow out of these disorders during childhood, while others live with them throughout their adult life.
Selective mutism
Selective mutism sometimes described as a "phobia of talking", is an anxiety disorder that stops children speaking in certain social situations, such as in school lessons or in public. However, they're able to speak freely to close family and friends when nobody else is listening – at home, for example. If your child is selectively mute, be patient. Don't put pressure on them or bribe them to speak.
Find out more about selective mutism.
Communication problems after a stroke
A stroke can cause mental and physical impairments, and make communicating with someone difficult. The person who has had the stroke may find it hard to form words or understand what you say to them. This may make it difficult for you to work out what they want.
If the person has problems with speech, language, writing or swallowing, they can be referred for speech and language therapy to help them regain those skills. When you communicate with someone who is recovering from a stroke, it's important to give them your full attention and try to avoid any background distractions. Try to speak clearly and at a normal volume. Make sure you're listening and watching for the person's reactions, as not all communication is verbal. It's also important that you don't pretend you've understood them if you haven't. Don't try to speak for them.
Sign language
Sign language is a way of communicating visually, using hand gestures, facial expressions and body language. There are hundreds of different types of sign language in use across the world.
British Sign Language British Sign Language (BSL) is the sign language used by deaf people in the UK. BSL uses hand gestures, finger spelling, lip patterns and facial expressions.