Reduce The Barriers To Communication With Individuals With Autism
Describe the difficulties that people with an autistic spectrum condition have with communication, social interaction and relationships, imagination and inflexibility of thought in relation to activities?
Autistic individuals may not be able to communicate using speech and language to verbally communication with staff to explain that they would like to participate in activities. They also struggle to express their feelings and understand body language and facial expressions. They find it hard to understanding the norms of behaviour, i.e. proximity and turn taking and this may be a difficulty in participating in activities in groups or being polite, therefore individuals find it hard to make friends or have relationships with others even though they may …show more content…
want to. Individuals with autism have a great deal of trouble understanding the need for problem solving and the idea of rules of society. People with autism find it hard to understand how others may be feeling and can put themselves in immediate danger as they do not understand that running into a busy road will put them in immediate danger. Individuals may not tolerate changes in routine or differences in the environment or even something as simple as a change in a planned activity, this inflexibility can lead to anxiety and frustrations which if not dealt with can lead to an outburst of behaviours, Describe why autism can be considered a spectrum?
Autism is considered a lifelong disorder which affects how individuals can communicate and interact with others. Autism is called a spectrum disorder because individuals can share certain symptoms but in different ways for example two people with autism can act very differently from each other.
Explain why it is important that each resident you support is treated as an individual with their own strengths, needs, preferences and interests?
It is important an individual that I support feels included in every aspect of their care so that they can have the chance for a full independent life, so a person centred approach is paramount in ensuring that an individual’s needs are met. Individuals have rights and should be able to contribute and have influence over the issues which affect the way they live. Individuals will feel empowered, valued and are able to make informed choices.
Outline some sensory difficulties experienced by some people with autism?
Individuals with autism tend to have unusual sensory experiences. These experiences may involve a sense being too sensitive, less sensitive than normal, or difficulty interpreting a sense. That 's why some individuals may not want a specific part of their body touched ie feet or can simply avoid being touched altogether. Their hearing and sight senses are also heightened, making noises that wouldn’t bother me or you.
Describe some of the behavioural characteristics which you have experienced at work which are associated with autism and identify possible reasons why these may be exhibited?
One individual displays a form of repetitive behaviour by rocking backwards and forwards, although not displayed all the time, this behaviour is a form of expressing his excitement of a certain situation, i.e. enjoyment of a particular activity, for example a drive in a people carrier.
Another individual displays self-injurious behaviours by biting her arm when she is faced with a situation she does not appear to like, for example, did not like the loud sound of the floor cleaner so she became vocal by screaming and displaying hand biting. This behaviour is displayed because she becomes stressed over very loud noises.
One individual constantly watches Walt Disney DVDS and clips on his computer, this behaviour is obsessive but it appears to keep him relaxed and happy. He uses phrases from particular Disney stories to communicate with staff.
Another individual is obsessive over street signage/maps/leaflets of places this appears to give him lots of enjoyment from learning about this particular subject and likes to gather these items of interest.
Explain the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication on a person with autistic spectrum condition and identify how communication can be affected by elements in the environment?.
Communication is very important because it is how we interact with others, build relationships and let other people know how we are feeling. To a person with autism, communication is also important but can be done very slowly and with encouragement the individual can achieve personal expressions and enjoy others understanding and respect.
The environment that people communicate in has a huge effect on communication, these are things we do not have control over, it could be traffic on a busy road or the sound of overhead helicopters etc., or noises from the television.
It could also be too hot or cold, too crowded or too many objects in the vicinity. These can all be barriers to effective communication.
Describe how you reduce the barriers to communication when communicating with individuals with Autism?.
When working with an individual I could adapt the environment to try and improve the effectiveness of communication, for example adjusting the lighting or creating a quiet area so that we are away from noisy activity or distractions. I could also make sure that I am clearly seen by the person I am trying to communicate with so that they can observe my body language and use of eyes and facial expressions. I could also speak slower to enable the individual understand what I am saying and also allow for silences so that the individual can process the information that I have given them.
What types of visual communication can be used/do you use when communicating with residents and from where can you seek advice in relation to
communication.?
In the unit where I work at Low Laithes Village, Staff members have a variety of aids that helps us communicate with people that we support. One individual uses a light writer to communicate with staff as well as the use of his own writing skills; Staff can also write things to him on paper if he does not understand anything. Also other forms of communication are symbols that individuals have in their own home to show staff what it is they are trying to communicate to us. Staff members also have these on their person if needed. Staff members can also use now and then transition boards so that individuals are aware of what is happening next. One individual on the unit likes you to use verbal communication of five things by using words, so for example, breakfast, relax, laundry, computer and lunch so he understands what tasks we are doing. Staff can also use verbal prompts for example “show me what it is you want”, this can also be used as non-verbal prompts as one particular person likes to take you to something he wants help with.
If staff need to seek advice about forms of communication then it is important to discuss this with the speech and language team or clinician team who can provide support in relation to communication. I feel it also important to discuss with your team members about how they effectively communication with the people we support and also my line managers as to ways in which I can improve on my communication skills.
References
www.autism.org.uk
Autistic individuals may not be able to communicate using speech and language to verbally communication with staff to explain that they would like to participate in activities. They also struggle to express their feelings and understand body language and facial expressions. They find it hard to understanding the norms of behaviour, i.e. proximity and turn taking and this may be a difficulty in participating in activities in groups or being polite, therefore individuals find it hard to make friends or have relationships with others even though they may …show more content…
want to. Individuals with autism have a great deal of trouble understanding the need for problem solving and the idea of rules of society. People with autism find it hard to understand how others may be feeling and can put themselves in immediate danger as they do not understand that running into a busy road will put them in immediate danger. Individuals may not tolerate changes in routine or differences in the environment or even something as simple as a change in a planned activity, this inflexibility can lead to anxiety and frustrations which if not dealt with can lead to an outburst of behaviours, Describe why autism can be considered a spectrum?
Autism is considered a lifelong disorder which affects how individuals can communicate and interact with others. Autism is called a spectrum disorder because individuals can share certain symptoms but in different ways for example two people with autism can act very differently from each other.
Explain why it is important that each resident you support is treated as an individual with their own strengths, needs, preferences and interests?
It is important an individual that I support feels included in every aspect of their care so that they can have the chance for a full independent life, so a person centred approach is paramount in ensuring that an individual’s needs are met. Individuals have rights and should be able to contribute and have influence over the issues which affect the way they live. Individuals will feel empowered, valued and are able to make informed choices.
Outline some sensory difficulties experienced by some people with autism?
Individuals with autism tend to have unusual sensory experiences. These experiences may involve a sense being too sensitive, less sensitive than normal, or difficulty interpreting a sense. That 's why some individuals may not want a specific part of their body touched ie feet or can simply avoid being touched altogether. Their hearing and sight senses are also heightened, making noises that wouldn’t bother me or you.
Describe some of the behavioural characteristics which you have experienced at work which are associated with autism and identify possible reasons why these may be exhibited?
One individual displays a form of repetitive behaviour by rocking backwards and forwards, although not displayed all the time, this behaviour is a form of expressing his excitement of a certain situation, i.e. enjoyment of a particular activity, for example a drive in a people carrier.
Another individual displays self-injurious behaviours by biting her arm when she is faced with a situation she does not appear to like, for example, did not like the loud sound of the floor cleaner so she became vocal by screaming and displaying hand biting. This behaviour is displayed because she becomes stressed over very loud noises.
One individual constantly watches Walt Disney DVDS and clips on his computer, this behaviour is obsessive but it appears to keep him relaxed and happy. He uses phrases from particular Disney stories to communicate with staff.
Another individual is obsessive over street signage/maps/leaflets of places this appears to give him lots of enjoyment from learning about this particular subject and likes to gather these items of interest.
Explain the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication on a person with autistic spectrum condition and identify how communication can be affected by elements in the environment?.
Communication is very important because it is how we interact with others, build relationships and let other people know how we are feeling. To a person with autism, communication is also important but can be done very slowly and with encouragement the individual can achieve personal expressions and enjoy others understanding and respect.
The environment that people communicate in has a huge effect on communication, these are things we do not have control over, it could be traffic on a busy road or the sound of overhead helicopters etc., or noises from the television.
It could also be too hot or cold, too crowded or too many objects in the vicinity. These can all be barriers to effective communication.
Describe how you reduce the barriers to communication when communicating with individuals with Autism?.
When working with an individual I could adapt the environment to try and improve the effectiveness of communication, for example adjusting the lighting or creating a quiet area so that we are away from noisy activity or distractions. I could also make sure that I am clearly seen by the person I am trying to communicate with so that they can observe my body language and use of eyes and facial expressions. I could also speak slower to enable the individual understand what I am saying and also allow for silences so that the individual can process the information that I have given them.
What types of visual communication can be used/do you use when communicating with residents and from where can you seek advice in relation to
communication.?
In the unit where I work at Low Laithes Village, Staff members have a variety of aids that helps us communicate with people that we support. One individual uses a light writer to communicate with staff as well as the use of his own writing skills; Staff can also write things to him on paper if he does not understand anything. Also other forms of communication are symbols that individuals have in their own home to show staff what it is they are trying to communicate to us. Staff members also have these on their person if needed. Staff members can also use now and then transition boards so that individuals are aware of what is happening next. One individual on the unit likes you to use verbal communication of five things by using words, so for example, breakfast, relax, laundry, computer and lunch so he understands what tasks we are doing. Staff can also use verbal prompts for example “show me what it is you want”, this can also be used as non-verbal prompts as one particular person likes to take you to something he wants help with.
If staff need to seek advice about forms of communication then it is important to discuss this with the speech and language team or clinician team who can provide support in relation to communication. I feel it also important to discuss with your team members about how they effectively communication with the people we support and also my line managers as to ways in which I can improve on my communication skills.
References
www.autism.org.uk