Communication Awareness

and Acceptance

Office of Developmental Programs (ODP),

Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations

Krista Lewis, M.S.Ed.

Deaf and Nontraditional Communication Professional

Special Populations Unit

• Deaf Services Mailbox – RA-ODPDeafServices@pa.gov

• Lea Sheffield – Special Populations Unit Manager

– lesheffiel@pa.gov

• Lori Milcic– Deaf Services Coordinator

– c-lmilcic@pa.gov

• Krista Lewis – Deaf and Nontraditional Communication Professional

– c-krlewis@pa.gov

More than Harry M.

• Harry M. Settlement

• Enhanced Communication Rate requests for the

Consolidated, P/FDSD, and Community Living waivers

• Updating the Communication Bulletin

• Capacity Building

• Communication:

– Technical assistance

– Resources

– Training

Special

Populations

Unit

Cell Phone Activity

• Take out your phone

• Find a meaningful picture

• Share the picture and moment or memory

with someone next to you

Why is it important to prioritize someone’s communication?

It is how you engage with people and the environment

Can make or break someone’s social inclusion

Can impact lifestyle circumstances and life transitions

Can build trust and a positive relationship with another person

Communication is individualized

Many modalities used

My Life, My Way-

Communication

I am listened to and

understood; my input is

valued. My family,

supporters, and

community listen to me

and communicate in

ways that work for me.Everyday Lives: Values in Action, 2016. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

Communicationis…

A basic human need and right

Fundamental and fluid

Impacted by experiences, lifestyle,

circumstances, and trauma

Not the same for everyone

Disclaimers

Language ≠ Communication

Behavior is Communication

Defining the Terms

Language

• a conventional, formal system for communication

Speech

• communication by talking

Communication

• the successful exchange of ideas, feelings, and information between individuals

More Specifically

Languages

English

Swahili

American Sign Language

Spanish

Korean

Russian

Arabic

Modes of Communication

Verbal or Signed Language

Speech Generating Devices (ie. Tablets with a

Speech Generating App)

Picture Boards

Visual Gestural Communication (VGC)

Tactile Cues

Picture Exchange Communication System

(PECS)

Behavior- what happens when effective

communication is not accessible

Example: Boredom, Annoyance

Language:

English

“I can’t believe we

spent 3 hours in a

meeting that could

have been an email.”

Modes of Communication:

Body language, facial expression

A Simple Model

Expressive Receptive

A Comprehensive Model

• Receptive– Ability to comprehend

information through spoken

language, sign language, and/or

a mode of communication

– Understanding when others

communicate

– Often by the receiver

– Listening and understanding

– Can be understood or

misinterpreted

Expressive and Receptive Communication

• Expressive– Ability to share information

through spoken language, sign

language, and/or a mode of

communication

– Communication is understood

by others

– Often through the sender using

various/multiple modes of

communications (sometimes

more than 1 at the same time)

– Can be intentional or

unintentional

• Be concrete, speak slowly, check for understanding,

repeat as needed

• Refrain from jargon, slang, or abstract (use key words)

• When asking a question, give ample time to process

(pause)

• Keep gestures or visuals natural when used as

prompts/cues

• Use the person’s name to grasp attention

• Ask or say one thing at a time; multiple directions may

not be helpful

• Explain/show WHY

• When giving a request, alternate preferred and non-

preferred… give choices

• Keep your reactions neutral

Expressive Communicator: Strategies for the Sender

Receptive Communicator: Strategies for the Receiver

• Must understand the need for a

communication partner (receiver of

communication)

• Detect and connect

• Must establish trust- rapport is critical– Earliest communication (although not yet intentional) is

often done in the arms of a caregiver

– As communication is attempted later, it is likely done in

the presence or safety of a trusted caregiver

– Distrust can break the relationship or build resistance

• Whole body listening

• Hearing does not equal comprehension

*Impacts of internal and external factors vary for both the sender and receiver

• Sensory and environmental

• Smells

• Sounds

• Lighting

• Clutter

• Crowds

Internal Factors

• Culture, Experiences

• Health and physical barriers

• Nonverbal communication

• Emotions and tone of the communication

External Factors

- Mikaela Sheldt

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

• Describes various methods of communication that can help

people who are unable to use verbal speech to communicate.

• AAC is not just for people who have disabilities, it is used by

almost everyone on a daily basis

Writing Texting Facial Expressions

Meme

sSign

s

Vocal Expressions

Aided: uses some sort of

tool or device to support

communication.

Two Systems of AAC: Unaided: does not need

anything but your own body

to use unaided systems.Source: American Speech-Hearing Association (ASHA), 2019

Unaided:

Touch cues

• Body Language

• Visual Gestural

Communication

• Eye Gaze

• Haptics/Touch Cues

• Paralanguages

• American Sign

Language

• Foreign Sign

Languages

• Signed Exact English

• Pidgin Sign

Language

Aided:

Pencils and Pens

Paper

Instant Messaging

Speech Generating Devices (tablets, switches, etc.)

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Braille

Picture Systems

Symbol Systems

Artifacts

Tactile Cues

Object of Referral

Categories of Assistive Technology

Low/Light Technology:

- Does not have an

energy source

- Requires little to no

training

- Most common

- Examples:

- Highlighter

- Squishy/stress balls

- Post-it’s

- Velcro

Mid Technology:

- May have an energy

source

- May require some in

depth training

- Least common

- Examples:

- Calculators

- Manual wheelchair

- Adaptive

switches/toys

- Adapted seating (ie

chair with seatbelt)

High Technology:

- Has an energy

source

- Requires training

- Examples:

- Computer

- Electronic Tablet

- SMART Board

- Motorized

wheelchair

- Specialized Alarm

Systems (ie

Flashing light

doorbell)

The Overlap Between AT and AAC

Name of Communication System Assistive Technology AAC

Spoken Language No No

American Sign Language No Yes (unaided)

Foreign Sign Language No Yes (unaided)

Sign Exact English No Yes (unaided)

Pidgin Sign Language No Yes (unaided)

Tactile Sign Language No Yes (unaided)

Visual Gestural Communication No Yes (unaided)

Paralanguage No Yes (unaided)

Haptics/Touch Cues No Yes (unaided)

Eye Gaze No Yes (unaided)

Voice Output Devices Yes (high tech) Yes (aided)

PECS Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Print Systems Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Braille Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Symbol Systems Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Artifacts Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Tactile Cues Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Object Of Referral Yes (low/light tech) Yes (unaided)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Think about this:

The average 18 month old child has been exposed to 4,380

hours of oral language at a rate of 8 hours/day starting at

birth. A child who has a communication system and receives

speech/language therapy two times per week for 20-30

minutes per session will reach this same amount of language

exposure in 84 years.

- Jane Korsten

Supporting Language and Communication Development

• Provide them an environment that is rich in their primary

language

• Provide support in another language or communication

system the individual may know

• Use images of concrete/familiar objects

• Model

• Use real objects or artifacts

• Use multiple tools or modes of communication to get your

point across

• Don’t give up!

Supporting Language and Communication

Symbols

If you have one hundred of these, you have a

dollar. What are we talking about? We are talking

about the penny. The penny is the most common

coin in the United States. The U.S. Mint produces

billions of these coins each year.

The U.S. Mint made its first copper penny in

1793. Since then, there have been many different

pictures on pennies. Abraham Lincoln’s picture

went on the penny in 1909. The other side showed

wheat. Today, Lincoln’s face is still on the penny.

Pennies are now made of zinc. They have only

a tiny bit of copper in them. Over the years, some

things have changed with the penny. But one thing

remains the same. A penny is still worth one cent.

Language and Communication Collaboration

Concrete Image

If you have one hundred of these, you have a

dollar. What are we talking about? We are talking

about the penny. The penny is the most common

coin in the United States. The U.S. Mint produces

billions of these coins each year.

The U.S. Mint made its first copper penny in

1793. Since then, there have been many different

pictures on pennies. Abraham Lincoln’s picture

went on the penny in 1909. The other side showed

wheat. Today, Lincoln’s face is still on the penny.

Pennies are now made of zinc. They have only

a tiny bit of copper in them. Over the years, some

things have changed with the penny. But one thing

remains the same. A penny is still worth one cent.

Pictorial Calendar/Visual Schedule

Monthly calendar with

real images-Days can be crossed off

when completed

Daily schedule with real

images

-Activities can be removed

when completed

What is Visual Gestural Communication (VGC)?

VGC is a method of communication that

provides a means of bypassing

vocabulary and strict grammar rules of a

language. It is a mode of communication

that involves gestures, facial expression,

and body language use and analysis.

VGC…

• Is a natural response to wanting to communicate

• Includes all forms of gestures to communicate

• Deictic gestures (pointing, showing)

• Natural gesture (action-based gestures)

• Homesigns or self-invented gestures

• Signs and adapted signs

• Cultural/conventional gestures

VGC…

• Is not sign language, although it may include a form

of signed communication

VGC Basics

• Getting an individual’s attention– Tap the individuals shoulder

– Make sure you have eye contact

– Use VGC to convey message

• Questions, statements, commands

• Giving reinforcement/feedback

• Name signs

Picture Dictionary

Communication is Everyone’s Job!

• Set high expectations

• Meet the person where he/she is at

• Modify communication, when necessary

• Communication- think ping pong, not darts

– One person shouldn’t always be the sender or the receiver

• Detect and connect

• Share about an individual’s communication

• Learn to listen AND listen to learn

“We have better outcomes when we start earlier, but

the next best time to start is today.”

Thank you!

Questions?