CCN: What are complex communication needs?
Summary
TLDRThis presentation by Developmental Disability WA explores complex communication needs in individuals with disabilities. Some people may struggle to speak, understand others, or process language, often requiring alternative communication methods like sign language, communication devices, or visual aids. The presentation debunks common myths about these methods, emphasizing that AAC tools don't hinder speech development and can support better communication. It encourages families and caregivers to seek assistance from speech therapists and use inclusive strategies to enhance communication for those with complex needs.
Takeaways
- 🗣️ Complex communication needs refer to challenges in speech, language understanding, or expression faced by some individuals with disabilities.
- 🔍 Individuals with complex communication needs may have difficulty expressing themselves or understanding others, and they may require additional support.
- 🤔 It's crucial to recognize complex communication needs to improve quality of life and prevent challenging behaviors that can arise from unmet communication needs.
- 🛠️ Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools and strategies can assist individuals with complex communication needs to understand and express themselves.
- 👤 Personal communication systems can be developed using facial expressions, voice, and body language, which are natural forms of communication.
- 📱 Technology such as iPad apps, communication devices with touchscreens, and gaze-based systems can be utilized to support communication.
- 👶 Starting with AAC early can be beneficial, and it does not hinder natural speech development; in fact, it can enhance it.
- 📚 Visual supports like symbols, photos, and communication books are valuable for individuals with speech, even if they can already speak.
- 🚫 Debunking myths is important, including the idea that complex disabilities equate to severe intellectual disabilities or that visual supports are unnecessary for those with some speech.
- 💡 Seeking professional help from speech therapists and engaging with support groups can be instrumental in implementing effective communication strategies.
Q & A
What is a developmental disability as described in the script?
-A developmental disability is a condition that affects a person's physical, learning, language, or behavioral abilities and is due to an impairment in physical or mental development. It can manifest in various ways, such as difficulties in communication, understanding, and expressing oneself.
Why is it important to recognize complex communication needs in individuals with disabilities?
-Recognizing complex communication needs is crucial for improving the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and preventing challenging behaviors that may arise from unmet communication needs.
What are some ways to help people with complex communication needs to understand language or express themselves?
-Ways to help include using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools, learning to respond to their natural communication methods, employing sign language, utilizing communication books, apps, devices with touchscreens, and switches for those unable to touch screens.
How can we support someone who communicates differently from the norm?
-Support can be provided by learning to respond to their communication methods, using sign language, and employing AAC tools such as communication books, apps, and devices that facilitate expression and understanding.
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and how does it help?
-Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to a range of tools and strategies used to help people with complex communication needs to express themselves and understand others. It includes sign language, communication books, apps, devices with touchscreens, and more.
What are some myths about people with complex communication needs that the script addresses?
-The script addresses myths such as the assumption that physical disability equates to severe intellectual disability, that using AAC will hinder speech development, that visual supports are unnecessary if someone has some speech, and that certain skills are needed to benefit from visual communication tools.
How does the script challenge the myth that using visual supports will slow down speech development?
-The script clarifies that research shows using communication supports, including visual aids, does not slow down or stop speech development; in fact, it can facilitate faster development.
What does the script suggest about the necessity of visual supports for those with some speech?
-The script suggests that even people with some speech might need visual supports to help them process information more effectively and to aid in expressing themselves more fully.
How does the script dispel the idea that people need to demonstrate certain skills to benefit from visual communication tools?
-The script explains that the candidacy model, which suggests people need to demonstrate certain skills to benefit from visual communication tools, is outdated and not supported by current research.
What advice does the script offer for those looking to support individuals with complex communication needs?
-The script advises seeking help from a speech therapist experienced in complex communication needs, contacting organizations like Augmentative and Alternative Communication Australia (AGOFsky), and discussing communication goals with an NDIS planner.
Outlines
🗣️ Understanding Complex Communication Needs
This paragraph discusses developmental disabilities and the challenges faced by individuals with complex communication needs. It explains that some people with disabilities may not be able to speak or find the right words to express themselves, while others might have difficulty understanding speech or maintaining attention during conversations. The importance of recognizing these needs is highlighted, as unmet communication needs can lead to challenging behaviors. The paragraph introduces the concept of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as a tool to help these individuals understand language or express themselves. It also emphasizes the potential of each person to communicate, even if they have not been able to do so in the past, and the importance of not giving up on them.
📚 Debunking Myths and Supporting Communication
The second paragraph addresses common myths surrounding individuals with complex communication needs. It refutes the belief that physical disabilities automatically equate to severe intellectual disabilities and limited communication capacity. The paragraph also counters the idea that using visual communication tools like pictures or signs will hinder speech development, instead suggesting that such tools can actually facilitate more rapid speech development. It challenges the notion that certain skills are required to benefit from visual communication tools, stating that all individuals can benefit from AAC regardless of their current abilities. The paragraph concludes by encouraging the provision of a rich array of communication symbols and tools, rather than limiting options, to better support individuals with complex communication needs.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Developmental Disability
💡Complex Communication Needs
💡Nonverbal
💡AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
💡Communication Support
💡Sign Language
💡Pod Communication Books
💡Visual Supports
💡Myths
💡Candidacy Model
💡NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)
Highlights
People with developmental disabilities may have complex communication needs, which can include being nonverbal or having difficulty understanding spoken language.
Anxiety can exacerbate the challenges in understanding language for some individuals with disabilities.
Unmet communication needs can lead to challenging behaviors, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these needs.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools can be used to help people with complex communication needs.
Individuals often have a natural communication system, such as using facial expressions, voice, or body language.
Learning to respond to a person's natural communication methods can help build on their abilities.
Sign language and communication books are among the various AAC tools that can be utilized.
Technology, such as iPad apps and communication devices with touchscreens, can assist in communication for those with complex needs.
Switches can be used for those who cannot touch a screen, and gaze devices can be employed for those who cannot touch or look.
Even individuals with severe disabilities can benefit from communication systems with the right support.
Myth busting: Complex disabilities do not necessarily equate to severe intellectual disabilities or limited communication capacity.
Using visual supports like pictures or signs does not hinder speech development; research indicates it can actually facilitate it.
Visual supports can aid in understanding spoken language and help non-verbal individuals express themselves more effectively.
The candidacy model, which suggests individuals need specific skills to benefit from visual communication tools, has been debunked by research.
Providing a larger number of symbols in communication tools can enhance engagement rather than limiting it to a few words.
Speech therapists with experience in complex communication needs can offer guidance on utilizing AAC effectively.
Agofsky is a national group in Australia that promotes the participation of people with complex communication needs.
The NDIS planner should be informed about communication goals for individuals with complex communication needs.
The presentation was produced by Developmental Disability WA and narrated by Jackie Mills, featuring individuals with lived experiences.
Transcripts
this is a developmental disability
Western Australia presentation exploring
what our complex communication needs
some people with disability can't speak
they might be able to make sounds which
have meaning but they can't say many
words these people used to be called
nonverbal some people can speak but they
can't always find the right words to say
what they really want to say some people
whether or not they can speak have
difficulty understanding what other
people say others might be able to speak
and understand well enough but have
trouble paying attention to you or
processing language for some people
anxiety can make understanding language
so much harder they may need more
communication support when they feel
stressed having convex communication
needs means you might not be able to
communicate through speech or that you
might need help to understand what other
people say it's very important that we
can recognize when somebody has complex
communication needs not just for their
quality of life but also because having
unmet communication needs can result in
challenging behaviors so how can we help
people who have complex communication
needs we can find ways to help people to
understand language or to express
themselves the tools we use to help
people with complex communication needs
a core dog meant ative and alternative
communication or AAC for example most
people already have some kind of
communication system they've designed
themselves just using their face their
voice and their body if you know
somebody with a disability and you
aren't sure if they communicate you can
start by thinking about how they let you
know what they like they might not use
words to let you know they love chalk
it but most people do have a way of
saying I like this or I don't like this
that's communication we can help people
to build on their natural communication
by learning how to respond to them I
think Dan here has something to say we
can also learn to use sign language
other ways we can support people to
communicate include pod communication
books we can use apps on iPads we can
use communication devices which have a
touchscreen and the computer says the
word the person touches we can also use
switches to activate communication
devices if the person can't touch the
screen themselves we can use I gaze
devices where the computer says the word
the person looks at there are also
systems available for people with vision
impairment even people who can't look or
touch can use communication systems if
their supporters are given training in
how to be effective communication
partners if this sounds exciting to you
well we think it is - a lot has changed
for people with complex communication
needs and we know a lot more now about
how to help them
are you wondering if the person you know
could be supported to use AAC the answer
is yes
nobody is too disabled to get support to
understand what others say or to
communicate using language let's talk
about some myths about people who have
complex communication needs the first
myth is that having a complex disability
where you cannot control your body means
that you therefore have a severe
intellectual disability and limited
capacity to communicate in fact it's
difficult to get proper evidence of the
understanding or potential of a person
with complex communication needs we
shouldn't give up on these people we
know a lot more now about how to support
them and if
communication has failed in the past it
might be worth having another go with
some of the new strategies and tools
available another myth is that using
pictures signs or objects to help a
child to communicate will slow down or
stop their speech from developing this
is a common concern for parents but in
fact the research shows that using
communication supports never slows down
or stops speech development and can
actually make it develop more quickly
another myth is that symbols photos and
other visual supports are not needed if
the person has some speech in fact just
because you can talk that doesn't mean
you can understand everything that other
people say some people just need more
processing time to understand spoken
language and if you think about how
quickly spoken words appear then
disappear when we use visual supports
they can stay long enough for the
person's brain to process the
information some people who can't talk
find that having visual supports also
helps them to say more of the things
they want to say another myth is that
people need to demonstrate certain
skills to be able to benefit from visual
communication tools this is an old idea
called the candidacy model and research
has shown it isn't true
people with disability don't have to
prove that they can do anything to be
able to benefit from AAC
the last myth is that it's better to
start small sometimes people look at
communication books and apps and think
there are too many words you would think
so but the research actually says it's
better to provide more symbols than the
person is able to use in fact people are
less able to engage in AAC is only given
a few words so now we know more about
AAC and complex communication needs how
do we get started you can ask for help
from a speech therapist with experience
working with people with complex
communication needs
you could also
contact agofsky an inclusive australian
national group interested in enhancing
the participation of all people with
complex communication needs you can tell
your NDIS planner about your
communication goals this presentation
was produced by developmental disability
W a narrated by Jackie Mills we'd like
to thank merger of Mines Perth and
models Eli Dickenson Paul J Eamonn
guilfoyle George Lilly and Daniel nan
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