Items 5 and 6
Items 5 and 6 are about communication. How the worker communicates with the person and how much they notice and respond to the person’s communication.
5. Communicating clearly
Good support means the worker tailors their communication to the person so they understand the information being conveyed.
There are different ways to communicate:
-
verbal
-
facial expression
-
gesture
-
body movement
-
sign language
-
physically leading or guiding a person
And using:
-
objects
-
pictures
-
photos
-
technology
Many people with intellectual disabilities find it difficult to understand verbal communication on its own. It is often more effective for workers to combine verbal communication with another type of communication, such as gesturing or showing an object.
This video shows a worker communicating clearly with the person supported.
RATING
3
The worker communicated in ways that were tailored to the person in most or all instances.
The worker in the video communicated in ways that were tailored to the person and would be rated a 3 for this item.
Some of the ways the worker tailored their communication to the person were:
-
showing objects while saying what they are (i.e., breadboard, knife, banana, measuring cup, and blender)
-
using an iPad to show the steps of the activity
-
pointing to objects while explaining a step
-
touching objects while providing verbal instruction to use equipment
-
using words, touch and facial expression (smiling) to give praise
RATING
2
The worker sometimes communicated in ways that were tailored to the person, but it could have been better.
If the worker explained what the objects were by pointing to them, but then only used verbal communication when providing instructions to use the equipment and perform the steps (too complex), then the rating would be a 2.
RATING
1
The worker did not communicate in ways that were tailored to the person.
If the worker only used verbal communication that is too complex for the person to understand, then the rating would be a 1.
-
How the worker communicates with the person (e.g., verbal, objects, gestures)
-
Does the worker tailor their communication to the person, or is it too simple or too complex?
-
Does the person understand the worker’s communication?
When observing, pay attention to:
6. Noticing and responding to the person’s communication
Good support means the worker notices and responds to the person’s communication.
The person being supported may use different ways to communicate. They may communicate verbally, using objects, gestures, facial expression, body movements, physically leading or guiding, using pictures, technology, and signs.
The person’s communication may be clear and obvious, such as talking directly to the worker. Or it could be more subtle, such as looking at an object to make a choice or making a sound to indicate they do not like something.
The worker must be aware of the person’s communication all the time. They need to pick up on the person’s verbal and non-verbal cues when providing choice, supporting the person to participate in an activity, or during social conversation.
RATING
3
The worker noticed and responded to all attempts made by the person to communicate.
In the previous video, the worker noticed and responded to all of the person’s communication, and would be rated a 3 for this item.
The worker noticed and responded when the person:
-
touched the milk carton
-
smiled and used other facial expressions
-
vocalised
-
nodded her head to indicate yes
-
used her arm to cover her face and laughed
RATING
2
The worker responded to some attempts made by the person to communicate, but also missed/ignored some attempts.
If the worker noticed when the person smiled and then smiled back, as well as noticed when the person nodded her head for yes, but missed when the person was touching the milk carton, then the rating for this item would be a 2.
RATING
1
The worker did not notice and respond to most attempts made by the person to communicate.
If the worker had missed, ignored or not responded to attempts made by the person to communicate, then the rating for this item would be a 1. Or if the worker had only noticed and responded to the person when she nodded her head for yes, but missed, ignored or not responded to the other attempts to communicate.
-
How the person communicates
-
Does the worker notice all the person’s attempts to communicate?
-
How does the worker respond to what the person communicates?
-
Does the worker miss or ignore any attempts made by the person to communicate?