#communication partners

[pixierainbows]

Being a Good Communication Partner Tip 7: Be an Active Listener

The people around an AAC user are communication partners. AAC users interact with many communication partners across their day. Good communication partners are critical! Our actions during a communication interaction influence the "vibe" of that encounter. This month, we are talking about how we can grow and improve as communication partners!

Our next tip is to be patient and listen for understanding.

AAC Users: what would you add or change?

[Image 1 text: Being a Good Communication Partner Tip #7: Be an Active Listener. www.nwacs.info

Image 2 text: Be a Good Communication Partner. Good communication partners are patient and listen for understanding. Be sure to allow time for the AAC user to finish what they are saying. Stay non-judgmental and non-directive. Focus on trying to understand their idea or message.

Image 3 text: Be a Good Communication Partner.

- Give your undivided attention.

- Listen with all your senses. Gather information from all their signals to help you understand their intended message.

- Show that you are listening (e.g., look at them, move closer or change body position, nod, make sounds to indicate you are listening, etc.).

Image 4 text: Be a Good Communication Partner.

- Ask clarifying questions to help develop your understanding.

- Confirm you have understood their message.

- Help repair communication breakdowns.]

[pixierainbows]

Being a Good Communication Partner Tip 8: One Question

The people around an AAC user are communication partners. AAC users interact with many communication partners across their day. Good communication partners are critical! Our actions during a communication interaction influence the "vibe" of that encounter. This month, we are talking about how we can grow and improve as communication partners!

Our next tip is to ask one question at a time. And to be mindful of how many questions you ask.

AAC Users: what would you add or change?

#AAC #AACaware24 #AACawarenessMonth #NWACS #CommunicationPartners

.

[Image 1 text: Being a Good Communication Partner Tip #8: One Question. www.nwacs.info

Image 2 text: Be a Good Communication Partner. Ask one question at a time. Then wait for their response before asking another question. Or before saying something else.

Be mindful of how many questions you ask. Keep in mind that some AAC users may not (yet) know how to answer all question types. And questions are limiting. Give them opportunities to initiate (not just respond).]

- NWACS

NWACS

The Northwest Augmentative Communication Society (NWACS) is a non-profit organization focusing on educating and raising awareness about augm

[nonspeakerlibrary]

How come I need a Communication Partner?

If you have been reading my blog you will connect with what I am saying more easily.  I have a body that does not listen to the commands fro

Jordyn Pallett, a nonspeaking autistic person with apraxia, explains the role of his communication partner.

Doing anything purposeful requires a minor miracle if done independently. I need to build motor patterns for everything, always with an outside register and initiator until pathways are strongly myelinated. Lots of verbal prompting and sometimes even physically being assisted help me really build a strong brain-body connection where one didn’t exist. The end goal is autonomy, but it always starts with being taught. How do you learn a new skill? I bet much the same way, but without your body fighting to flee the whole time. Being dependent on outside initiation, feedback, and support is how we all get good at anything to the point that it becomes automatic and purposeful.

My Communication Partner listens powerfully for what I am saying, without adding or taking away anything. Never interrupting or influencing. Don’t think many people are able to be that powerful a blank listening for another. That power creates a trust and partnership that isn’t easily replicated. Any person holding my board doesn’t work. Each partner must build that trust and capacity to listen powerfully with nothing in the way.

[nonspeakerlibrary]

What I Wish People Understood About Non-Speaking Autistics Who Spell to Communicate - Reframing Autism

In this remarkable guest blog by 14-year-old, non-speaking, Autistic advocate Patrick Saunders, he shares how he learnt to communicate throu

I remember when a teacher yelled at me because I could not answer the question via a PECS card. It made me feel stressed and upset. I was six years old and it happened all the time.

I require a communication and regulation partner to help me voice my thoughts. They help me regulate by supporting the letterboard. They support the letterboard to aid my physical limitations and to help my motor planning. They change letterboard colours and stencils as it provides more stimulation and gets me back on track. My favourite letterboard colour is green because it is easy to see and it makes spelling easier.

The letterboard is not placed on the table because I need help with my hands. They have a mind of their own. If it was placed flat on the table my finger would point at the wrong letters because I need the letterboard up high to accommodate my needs.

[nonspeakerlibrary]

Can we care to include please?

Not all Communication Partners (CPs) are made the same. I have watched interactions in a number of settings and have some notes for CPs. Are

Jordyn Pallett asks the communication partners of AAC users to make sure we are always included in our own conversations , instead of only getting the chance to speak when we are addressed.

I know the job is a big one, but I implore you to look at yourself as CP and keep upping the level to which you disappear and are only an extension of your speller. Instead of wishing your student could participate more, get out of the way and cause it. Changing your own impulses may by challenging, but if we can do the work so can you.

Sorry to be so straight about this, but you didn’t do the work for your student to have a voice only when you think they should. Be a good partner and shift your habits. Let your speller’s voice be unleashed.

[nonspeakerlibrary]

https://i-asc.org/two-crps-are-better-than-one/

Caden Rainey and Jack Haynes, two nonspeakers who use Spelling to Communicate, on why it is important to have multiple communication partners.

It can be really challenging to only have one person to communicate with. Imagine if you could only talk if your parent or spouse was with you too. It’s pretty limiting especially when they can’t be glued to your side every minute of the day. It is even harder for our friends who have to rely on a practitioner to be able to spell.

And be sure to include your speller in the conversation about who they prefer as their next partner if possible. Consult us on all big, or small, decisions. It’s our life, help us live it fully. It is the best gift you can give us.

[nonspeakerlibrary]

Three nonspeaking autistic people presenting for the University of California. Some of the topics are their experiences in college , healthcare access , being included , the pros and cons of symbol - based AAC and typing in different situations , and what professionals should understand about living in an apraxic body.