Communicating with Someone Physically Disabled

The majority of people who have motor damage, for example those with cerebral palsy, have mild to serious communication difficulties. Damage to the central nervous system may interfere with the ability to produce speech sound or rhythm. The most common characteristics of motor speech disorders are imprecise production of consonant sounds, slow strenuous speech, and difficulty in controlling pitch and loudness. When muscle function is impaired, speech may be accompanied by facial distortions, drooling, and random body movement.

These behaviors are often distracting to listeners and make them feel uncomfortable; you may have to make a conscious effort to pay close attention to what the speaker is saying. Also, the physical tension associated with speaking and the difficulty in being understood often discourage those with disabilities from attempting to communicate; to overcome this reluctance, it is important to offer acceptance, a relaxed attitude, and true interest.

Those with severe physical disabilities may not be able to communicate effectively using speech. As an alternative, there are hundreds of existing communication systems that exist. Besides sign language and communication boards, there are many high tech computer generated speech output devices that can accommodate the various ranges of physical disability.

TIPS:

1. Acknowledgment. When you meet a person with an unfamiliar disability, avoid staring but don't avoid eye contact altogether just because you feel uncomfortable. Look at the person as a person, the same way you look at nondisabled people, with eye contact, a smile, or a greeting.

2. Give it some time. Speech intelligibility of a person with a speech impairment will often improve after you've spent some time and grown accustomed to their speech patterns. A good way to familiarize yourself to these patterns is to ask questions that require more than a "yes" or "no" answer or by having him or her read aloud.

3. Patience. Allow extra response time from someone who has a speech impairment.

4. Be encouraging. Don't be offended if a person with speech difficulties is reluctant to participate in coversation. To those with an impairment, speaking takes alot of effort. Create an encouraging atmosphere by having an accepting attitude, use eye contact, smile, lean forward, and nod to show that you are interested.

5. Alternative communication. If a communication device or other nonspeech method is used, get acquainted with how the system works. Respect and use whatever form is most functional to that person.

6. Space bubble. Always respect the personal space of someone with a physical disability. You might be eager enough to communicate but remember that someone with a physical disability may have little control or ability to protect their own personal space. Any equipment used by the individual is their personal space. For example, leaning on a person's wheelchair could be just as rude and inappropriate as leaning on a person's shoulder or sitting on their lap when you first meet.

7.Be accessible. If the person with a disability must be seated, you should try to sit also to maintain the same eye level. Even at a comfortable distance, you may still appear as threatening or dominant if you stand. Nobody likes to be talked down to.

8. Sensitivity. Keep in mind that certain touches, even a hug or pat on the back could be irritating or startling to someone with neurological damage. Move slowly and use firm pressure, light touches may tickle or be uncomfortable.

9. Use their name. To help hold the attention of a distractible or hyperactive person when you're trying to communicate, call the person's name frequently or touch their arm or shoulder. Limit distractions in whatever area you're in, unnecessary equipment, background noise, or an uncovered window.

10. Don't overdo it. If you notice signs of fatigue, anxiety, irritability, or disinterest, take a break. Don't press on, change activities. You will most likely start getting repetition responses when an individual is tired or the task is too difficult.

11. Lastly and probably most important, leave your assumptions at the door. Physical disabilities and speech disorders do not mean a lack of intelligence. Focus on the person's individual and unique abilities rather than their disabilities.