I talk and think a lot about communication.
We have Speech Pathology Week, AAC Week, and other like things.
But I don’t know if we have a week dedicated to understanding.
A core part, too often neglected, of communication is the ability to understand the communication of others.
To be understood by another person, the partner needs to use the best modes (e.g., speech, sounds, facial expression, pictures) and the level of complexity for which the person can understand now. If partner’s do not use the best modes and level of complexity, then the communication is less likely to be understood.
We are often so focused on how a person can “communicate” to use – but too rarely consider how we can make ourselves understandable to the person.
Communication breaks down because we may not be understood.
Because of pain, I can not understand the same way as I used to. For me to understand television, I need subtitles – I can not understand speech on it’s own – it’s too quick for me to process.
I can not understand text the same way that I used too. I need to read when I am not fatigued; if I don’t, the words just don’t travel to my brain.
In conversation, I need a quiet environment, short turns, longer time to respond, and different expectations about what message I will be able to remember. I need important information to be written down (and preferably photographed because I will probably lose the paper).
I’ve created my own “how do I need to be in order to be with you – enhancing understanding?”
This week, can I celebrate Communication Comprehension week – celebrating communication that can be understood best!
I see how so often, we try to force people with PMLD to be “like me” to communicate. Making non-word sounds, humming, crying, these aren’t considered “age appropriate”. Even a student of mine says “Tuesday” when I ask what day is it and that’s dismissed as echolalia!