communication – Page 3 – Sheridan Forster

New book

Music for Children and Young People with Complex Needs is a new book through Oxford University Press by Adam Ockelford.

Not being a muscian, I can see that this book is going to be a bit tricky for me to comprehend, however flicking through it, I know I will get a lot out of it. Ockelford breaks down taken for granted skills into meaningful chunks. For example, in his Sounds of Intent framework he looks at the various levels in reactive, proactive, and interactive stages of sound knowledge. In reactive, he starts with encounters sounds, then goes to shows emerging awareness of sounds, then to recognizing and reacting to simple patterns in sound…

I have long thought that a good langauge for describing the subtle interactions that occur with a person with a disability may best be described used musical terms – the build up, the burst, and the roll down are my gross terms, which I am sure map onto to more elegant and precise terms in music.

I look forward to reading this book and think that it will be a useful tool for music therapists, musicians, and people interested in cognition and communication.

Interaction shame???

I’ve been noticing lately how many people seem a little apologetic when they tell me or show me what they do when they are interacting with people with PIMD. I hear things like “we just muck around”, “just have cuddles and stuff”, “we don’t do much”, “I probably baby her a bit”, “you’ll think I’m a bit of a loon”. But the person knows that those are the things that work in interactions: playfulness, fun, repetition, quiet being together, tickles. Why is that people are apologetic about doing these things, when they are the things that contribute to a person’s quality of life? Why can’t people stand up and be proud (in the home, day service, and out and about) and say this is what being with this person in a meaningful way is all about?
So many great quality interactions happen in bathrooms and bedrooms behind closed doors (often people are more vocal, move more, and are most alert) where people won’t be embarrassed by their playful interactions – can we get playfulness out of the closet?!?

First printed in ECAPSS Newsletter April 06.

Many people may believe that it is not possible to have a conversation with somebody who does not use or understand speech. However it is possible to have wordless conversations.
The following article describes one of the types of wordless conversations that can be had.

• “Pro-vocation”
pro-1 prefix 1 favouring or supporting …. 3 forwards… 5 onwards.
vocation n. …. 2 a a person’s employment, esp. regarded as requiring dedication. (Employ 3 … keep (a person) occupied.)
provocation – provoke v.tr. 1a rouse or incite … b incite to anger …. 2 call forth; instigate …. 3 tempt; allure. 4 cause, give rise to.
The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary (4th ed.).(2004). New York: Oxford University Press.

It’s an interaction seen often between adults, children, and infants. We tease, we tempt, we joke, we encourage. We generate a response from another person. We bring forward (pro-) and a state of being occupied (vocation) in another person. We engage them. Sometimes we engage by asking questions, telling stories, sharing successes. Sometimes we engage by provocation. We may tempt a response from somebody or even incite a small anger.

Pro-vocation can be a valuable way to enhance communication and participation.
Consider the following scenarios:
Scenario 1
1. X shows an object to Y.
2. Y demonstrates an interest in the object.
3. X holds the object just outside Y’s reach.
4. Y demonstrates frustration and more effort to reach the object.
5. X grades the distance so Y can successfully reach the object.
Scenario 2
1. Y is enjoying an object.
2. X removes the object from Y.
3. Y demonstrates frustration or pleasure with the removal.
4. X tempts Y to reach for it.
5. Y reaches out for the object and successfully gets it.
Scenario 3
1. Y is enjoying an object.
2. X reaches towards it.
3. Y pulls the object away.
4. X grasps the object.
5. Y continues to pull the object toward themselves.
6. X pulls at the object with a little force, but not enough to remove it.
7. Y pulls to hold it.
8. X lets go.

There are lots of different names for these conversations. We could call it “tug-of-war”, “you can’t-get it”, or “ooh… ooh… ooh… you got it!”. These are all conversations that may be useful for adults who have early communication skills.
Two types of responses of the person may occur:
1. The person may demonstrate a behavioural (or emotional) response such as surprise, agitation, pleasure.
2. The person may be provoked into action towards you or the object, such as looking at you or reaching to the object.

There are some important rules in pro-vocation.
• Incitement of frustration must be used sensitively. Do not incite the person if you feel that they may become angry.
• Pro-vocation must be balanced with the feeling of success. Celebrate when the person successfully gets the object from you. “You’re so strong!”
• Balance pro-vocation with other interactions, like just quietly sitting together or playing unchallenged.
• Only use pro-vocation with people that you have built a trusting relationship with. An important feature of tease is that the person knows that it is play and that you are
conducting the interaction with respect and good faith.
• Do not do pro-vocation with ill-thought, or if you believe that the person may believe that you are doing it with ill thought. This is not encouraging participation.

Has this article pro-vocated you?

Sheridan Forster