Communication problems, basic issues of communication with people with disabilities, psychological approaches Bernadett Hidegh Department of Behavioural Sciences 1 Bernadett Hidegh Debrecen 2013.
2 Communication problems
3 Communication problems 5 points where communication problems may develop: 1. the transition of a meaning into words I cannot put that into words 2. The words are spoken Avoid using medical jargon!
4 Communication problems 3. The words which are heard by other person problem: the words may not reach the receiver 4. The words are translated back into meaning reference framework 5. The meanings are confirmed as being identical feedback (Groenman et al., 1992)
5 Communication with people with disabilities, psychological approaches
6 Disabilities Definition (WHO) impairments, activity limitations and participation restriction. Not just a health problem
7 Types of disabilities Physical disabilities Sensory disabilities (vision, hearing, olfactory and gustatory, sometosensory impairment and balance disorder) Intellectual disability Mental health and emotional disabilities Developmental disabilities Nonvisible disabilities
8 Communicating with and about people with disabilities The best strategy: be sensitive and flexible respectful polite considerate offer assistance ask questions
9 Terminology Correct terminology person with a disability person with a hearing impairment person who uses a wheelchair person with a psychiatric disability person who is visually impaired Avoid saying the disabled; handicapped deaf and dumb; deaf mute; mute confined or restricted to a wheelchair crazy blind (Office of Disability Employment Policy, 2013)
10 Offer to shake hands General tips If you offer assistance wait until it is accepted Treat adults as adults Relax Ask questions! (Deb Whitecross, 2010.)
11 Individual with mobility impairments Put yourself at the wheelchair user s eye level Do not lean on the wheelchair Do not shout Do not treat them childishly Ask whether they need to be pushed (Deb Whitecross, 2010)
12 Individuals with speech impairments Kinds of speech impairments: Motor speech disorders Dysarthria Apraxia of speech (AOS) Fluency disorders Language disorder APHASIA Communication impairment after right hemisphere damage Communication impairment after traumatic brain injury (TBI) (DeLisa et al., 2005)
13 Tips: Individuals with speech impairments Do not raise your voice Quiet environment Be patient Ask the patient to repeat (if it is necessary) Do not finish the patient s sentences (http://www.labor.ny.gov/home/)
14 Individuals with cognitive disabilities Kinds of cognitive disabilities: Neglect Disorders of attention Memory and learning disorders Executive dysfunctions Disorders of reading and writing (Kállai et al., 2008)
15 Tips: Individuals with cognitive disabilities Clear and brief instructions Repeat Speak directly to the individual Be patient, flexible and supportive (Deb Whitecross, 2010)
16 Individuals who are blind or visually impaired Speak in a normal tone of voice Identify yourself Offer assistance if it is necessary Do not leave them in an open area without saying that you are leaving (http://www.labor.ny.gov/home/)
17 Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing Gain the person s attention Look directly at the individual Speak directly to the person, not the interpreter did you hear abuot? don t be embarrassed if you use terms like this (Deb Whitecross, 2010)
18 People with mental illness Most frequent mental disorders and psychological problems which are very frequent in the health care: depression anxiety crisis loosing the autonomy, getting dependent and vulnerable regression hospitalization suicide
19 People with mental illness Tips: Be calm! Importance of body language Empathise Ask how can you help Keep your voice tone low and unhurried Talk with the patient again (http://www.labor.ny.gov/home/)
20 The 10 commandments of communication 1. Speak directly to the person 2. Offer to shake hands when introduced 3. Identify yourself (in case of visual disability) 4. If you offer assistance wait until it is accepted 5. Treat adult as adults (http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforcenypartners/forms/communication.pdf)
21 The 10 commandments of communication 6. Do not lean against or hang on someone s wheelchair 7. Listen attentively 8. Place yourself at eye level 9. Get the person s attention who has a hearing disability 10. Relax (http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforcenypartners/forms/communication.pdf)
22 Social acceptance The Dabanhams advertisement:
23 Social acceptance Start it at childhood Empathy avoid stigmatization the importance of good quality of life.
24 Remember Make a trustful relationship Treat the individual with diginity, respect and courtesy Listen to the individual Offer assistance but do not insist if it is not accepted Control the degree of understanding, if it s necessary: repeat! Show attention, interest and acceptance!
25 Homework:
26 Thanks for your attention!
27 Suggested reading DeLisa/Gans/Walsh: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Principles and practice. 4th Ed. Lippincott W and Wilkins. 2005. Gutenbrunner C, Ward AB, Chamberlain MA (eds): White Book on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Europe, UEMS, 2006. World Health Organisation, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF: Geneva: WHO, 2001. Groenman N H, Slevin O. D A, Buckenham M A : Social and behavioural sciences for nurses. Campion Press,1992. Pilling J: Medical Communication. Medicina, 2011. Whitecross D: Communicating effectively with people with a disability. 2010. http://www.disabilityconsultants.com.au/userfiles/communicating%20with %20PEOPLE%20WITH%20DISABILITIES.pdf Other websites: http://www.labor.ny.gov/workforcenypartners/pdfs/disabilityetiquette.pdf http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/comucate.htm http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforcenypartners/forms/communication.pdf