unit 75 Support Individuals with specific communication needs

1.1 It is important to meet the needs of an individual communication needs because it enables them to express themselves in a method they feel comfortable. It is important to respect their communication needs as it will prevent individuals feeling isolated but also helps to encourage them build relationships with others.

1.2 When supporting individuals with specific communication needs our own role and practice may impact when communicating. This could be from us not being trained correctly to be able to adapt to the specific communication needs. This can lead to misunderstanding and also preventing support workers building a relationship with service users, which could lead to challenging behaviour from the service user.
It is also important to read their care plans because individuals may have a adapted versions of a communication style. Whilst we may have prior experience working a specific communication we need to respect that others adapted versions and learn it.

1.3 Features of the environment that may help or hinder communication:
Noise levels
Good or bad lighting
Privacy or lack of it
No disruptions and/or distractions
Temperature too hot or cold

1.4 Why does an individual may use a form of communication that is not based on a formal language system
They have adapted a formal language system which feel comfortable with and easy fro them to use
They may only need to use the basic form of the language system. For example we have service user whose speak and language is limited. However he uses some Makaton signs and visual aids to help him communicate his needs and for support workers to communicate back to him.

1.5 Communication methods and aids to support individuals to communicate:
Human and technological aids - interpreters/ computers/ tablets/ phones
Hearing aids
Brile
Pictures/ symbols/ charts
Social stories
Short and simple sentences
Sign language ( formal and non formal)

1.6 It is important that