Communicating With People Who Have Learning Disabilities

Background
Over 1 million people in Britain have some degree of learning disability, which means that they need help to understand information, learn skills, and to cope independently. In the past, a large proportion of people with learning difficulties have lived in institutions but the vast majority now live in the community where they require the same public services as the wider population.

The Scottish Executive has identified the communication and understanding of information as a key issue for people with learning disability and for the services that support them. The following notes cover some general principles and pointers to assist the effective communication that people with learning disability need and are entitled to


Good Practice In Communicating
> Be clear about what you want to say and why.

> Be sure that the information is relevant

> Speak directly to the person rather than to a support worker, though carers and support workers may be useful sources of additional information.

> Keep sentences short and simple.

> Support spoken language with natural gestures such as signs, facial expressions and eye contact.

> Avoid abstract concepts such as "later" or "somewhere", or analogies. Instead, be as specific as possible.

> Avoid jargon.

> Drawings, diagrams, photographs or symbols can support written information.

> Audio or videotapes can be useful alternatives to written information.

> It helps if you get to know the person where possible. Consistency of contact person can be useful.



Useful contacts
Learning Disability Team
Bairdmore Business Centre
9 Bairdmore St
Clydebank
G81 4HA
Tel: 0141 562 2325
Fax: 0141 562 2323