Who are the experts on how a person with complex needs communicates? Usually, the experts are the people who are most familiar. When a person communicates without talking, familiar people are critical. Your insight into what the person means is most likely the most accurate. You might be asked to write down what you know. You might need to share information with new support people.
There are several ways to share this essential information.
- Your daily notes offer some insight if you remember to include comments.
- If you have permission, you can videotape or take photos of communication examples of the person to share with the team.
- This downloadable Personal Communication Dictionary can be completed.
- You can create a Communication Snapshot by clicking to complete an online form. You will receive the results in an email.
- You can use the free online Communication Matrix.
- You can also request a Communication Evaluation by a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. This will probably be a lengthy process and you will need to also use one of the other tools in the meantime.
All of these ideas will help us share information. You can share a person’s unique communication methods. This way we can encourage deeper connections with others. Include any Grid, Snapshot or Matrix in a person’s ISP or service notes. Sometimes, these valuable pictures get lost or buried in paperwork. This is a real shame. Think about how you can share the information with your support team.
