There are many challenges involved when interacting with someone with a communication disability. This course not only provides an insight into what it is like to live with a communication difficulty, but also offers practical tips and suggestions on how to deal with the challenges that you might face in your day to day role and the barriers you might need to overcome.
The course also offers you the chance to work with the real experts in communication, our trainers with aphasia. You can gain practical feedback and advice on your communication skills and what you could do moving forward.
This course was developed with a foundation of research into aphasia and expertise in supported conversation by Connect, the communication disability. It is published within the Conversation Partner Toolkit (Connect Press 2007). It has been tried and tested.
'Extremely useful course for increasing my knowledge, confidence and practical skills'(Occupational Therapist).'
An increased knowledge of the barriers and issues faced by someone with a communication disability.
New techniques to communicate effectively and compassionately with someone with a communication disability and practical tips for your own setting.
The chance to put your skills into practice with a trainer with aphasia.
A good standard of spoken and written English is desirable.
The course is interactive, with power point introduction, workshop, video workshop and feedback and then in the second half a practical component with trainers with aphasia. The trainers have a twenty minute conversation and then give their direct assessment to the student. A partnered student also gives feedback.
Every student will have the opportunity to have this direct assessment from both trainee with aphasia and peer feedback.
Kagan A. (1995) Revealing the competence of aphasic adults through conversation: a challenge to health professionals. Topics in Stroke Rehab 2:15-28.
Knight, G (2005) Better Conversations. Connect Press
Murphy, J., Tester, S., Hubbard, G., Downs, M., and MacDonald, C. (2005) Enabling frail older people with a communication difficulty to express their views: the use of Talking Mats as an interview tool. Health and Social Care in the Community 13(2), 95-107
http://www.hanen.org/Programs/For-Parents/More-Than-Words.aspx
Pepper.J. and Weitzman,E. (2004) It takes two to talk: a practical guide for parents of children with language delays.
Toronto, Hanen Centre
