From theory to practice with online communication training

Theory into practice.

I often have an opportunity to assist support workers make functional use of the online training package, ‘Becoming a Better Communication Partner’.

This week I joined a young man for lunch in the community with his support worker for the first time. The gentleman has some speech that is not always intelligible and often repeatedly topic-loops when he is in an anxious state. He has only recently been introduced to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and assistive technology.

We met in the car park, walked to the café and almost an hour later I left. In that time, we covered lots of communication strategies and several conversation styles. Here is an example some of the material we used from the five courses that you will find when you click on the link https://drjaneremingtongurney.podia.com/.

Our top five strategies and tools.

1. A Social Story (Course 5) to enable calm walking on the pavement to the café rather than the grassed area that had a drop off. A second Social Story (a la Carol Gray) to assist him through collecting his meal when it was ready.
2. Mind mapping (Course 5) and scaffolding (Course 1) to make a meal selection.
3. Light tech, aided communication (Course 3) to engage in the conversation and be an active choice and decision maker, and to order his own meal.
4. Unaided natural gesture (Course 2) to comment, express emotions and give feedback.
5. Developing a non-interrogative style of conversation PLUS using music and song making for closure of the meeting as a calm and meaningful experience (Course 4).

Here is one of the Social Stories that was written on a wipe board as it was spoken, worked magically for this young man.

Walking on the pavement

Usually people walk on the pavement (I gestured to the people doing this)

That’s OK (reassurance)

Sometimes walking on the grass may be unsafe. There may be a drop off. (Pointed to the drop off).

Walking on the pavement can be a safe thing to do. (Gave him the thumbs up)

If you would like more information about the online training package for communication partners (people who assist someone with limited or no functional speech), then please click on https:drjaneremingtongurney.podia.com/ or look at my website www.optionsctc.com.au

There are also great discounts available, funding plus opportunities for team support and mentoring.

Thank you for reading this :)