Some people have communication challenges. It could be the result of cerebral palsy, hearing loss, or another condition that makes it di铿僣ult to pronounce words, causes slurring or stuttering, or not being able to express oneself or understand written or spoken language. Some people who have severe di铿僣ulties may use communication boards, sign language or other assistive devices.听
Here are some suggestions to help you interact with people with speech and language disabilities:听
- Just because a person has one disability doesn鈥檛 mean they have another. For example, if a person has di铿僣ulty speaking, make no assumption they have an intellectual disability as well.听
- If you don鈥檛 understand, ask the person to repeat the information.听
- Avoid referring to the disability or using phrases like 鈥渉andicapped鈥�.听
- If you are able, ask questions that can be answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’.听
- Take some time. Be patient and polite and give the person whatever time they need to get their point across.听
- Allow the individual to 铿乶ish their sentences themselves without interruption.听
- Patience, respect and a willingness to 铿乶d a way to communicate are your best tools.听