The use of signs, symbols and pictures
These ways of communicating are usually used in a conversation where one of the people has some sort of disability. Conversations which use this type of communication are just as good as speaking because the message intended to be understood still gets across just as clearly.
Objects of reference
We saw objects of reference at Sir Tom Finney High School, a school for children with physical/mental disabilities. A picture, word and object. Examples of objects of reference are at home time children will be shown the words home time, a picture of a taxi (this is how most of them travel) and a piece of seatbelt.
Variations between cultures
In different cultures everything is perceived differently, everything is taught differently, everything is judged differently and everything is experienced differently. Sometimes this is based on religion, how you’ve been brought up or just generally how you feel comfortable around people. An example of variation in culture is proximity. Proximity is different for every person, meaning how close you stand to someone without feeling uncomfortable.
The use of signs, symbols, pictures and writing
For people who have difficulties hearing but can understand communication in other ways perfectly well, using pictures and symbols is a very effective way of communicating. But also signs and symbols are used frequently. For example at airports, shopping centres and tourist places there are signs on the toilet doors to separate the different genders.
Factors that affect communication.
Sensory deprivation:
Sensory deprivation is removing one or all of the five senses. –see below.
Visual Disabilities
If you have a visual disability, you can’t read or see signs.
Hearing Disabilities
If you have hearing difficulties you can’t hear any one speak or understand them when there talking, usually this leads to not being able to talk either because you have to be able to hear to be able to talk.
Learning Disabilities
If you have learning difficulties it usually means that you’re brain works at a slower pace and you might not be able to understand people. When you are talking to someone with learning difficulties you have to check that they understand what you’re talking about and that there not just repeating what you’re saying.
Physical Disabilities
People who have physical disabilities can sometimes communicate through speech but it depends on how disabled that person is.
For example, Jodie has cerebral palsy and can not communicate through speech so she uses a Dyno Voxe which is a computer that connects through a dot on her head which acts as a mouse as she can not use her hands. Holding her head on an icon for a certain amount of time makes the mouse click on it.
Foreign Language
Foreign language is a very common barrier to communication.
For example, if you are English and you are speaking to someone’s who’s first language isn’t English then you have no way of communicating with them.
Jargon
Jargon is words used by any group of people used by themselves but means something to them but might mean something different to someone else.
For example, To a nurse an Iv is an Intravenous drip but to a teacher it is an Internal verifier.
Slang
Slang isn’t correct English and shouldn’t be used in formal communication. For example, text language, friends might understand what you’re saying but others may not e.g. lol is short for laugh out loud, tb is short for text back
Dialect
Dialect is a type of language used in a particular area which uses special words for certain things and other people don’t understand you. For example, Ahm fer klempt means I am really hungry.
Use of acronyms
Acronyms are words used to shorten things E.g. NICE stands for National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
Cultural differences
A cultural difference is the difference between how one culture feels: about how they dress, smell, if you touch people, their eye contact, their gestures and facial expressions and their body movements. For example, two men holding hands in Britain would be seen as unacceptable because people would assume they had a physical relationship whereas in Muslim countries just because two men are holding hands doesn’t mean they have a physical relationship.
Distress
Distress is when somebody is upset and they are unable to concentrate. For example, if you and a friend are in a car accident and the police/ambulance are trying to get someone’s details and that friend won’t stop crying it is hard for people under distress to concentrate because they can only see the bad things that are going on.
Emotional Issues
Emotional issues are conversations that ‘spark’ a certain feeling. For example, if I was talking to my grandma about my mother she might be upset because her mother has died.
Disabilities
Disabilities are when a person is unable to perform because of either a mental or physical disability. For example, someone who is paralysed can’t feed themselves.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors are factors that affect communication. For example, if you’re sat at the back of a classroom and the teacher is talking quietly you may be able to hear the other teacher next door.
Misinterpretation of messages
Misinterpretation is not when someone doesn’t understand but when someone doesn’t understand things incorrectly. For example, if I said to my friend to meet me at 9 on the bus station and I go at 9 in the morning and they go at 9 at night it is a misunderstanding,
Differing humour
Differing humour is when different people find different things funny. For example, a joke about someone’s hair colour could be funny to someone without that hair colour but to the person with that hair colour it could be offensive.
Inappropriate behaviours
Inappropriate behaviour in a classroom from one pupil can affect communication between the teacher and other pupils. For example, if there is a pupil turning around taking things of you it will affect you’re communication between you and the teacher.
Aggression
If someone is aggressive in their behaviour towards you then you are unable to concentrate on anything. This could affect communication between anyone else and the aggressor if they where trying to speak to you.
Feelings of isolation
Feelings of isolation make you feel like you can’t communicate with anyone and you have to ‘keep it all locked up’. E.g. If you where being abused and you felt like you couldn’t turn to anyone.
Ways of overcoming barriers
Adapting to the environment
An environment can be changed to make communication easier to take place. For example, if you are in a office having a meeting and there is noise outside then you would shut the windows to avoid the noise coming in.
Understanding language needs and preferences
Understanding language needs and preferences is about identifying you’re clients individual needs, supporting there needs, observe there communication with other clients and supporting those needs. For example, if someone from Africa comes over to England for treatment and stays in an old peoples home and can’t speak much English, it’s the carers job to insure as much communication as possible.
Active listening
Active listening is about understanding what, interoperating and evaluating what she/he has said. This is a good way of overcoming barriers to communication because if somebody say’s something to you and there is a distraction going on but there is no indication to the speaker such as body language changing then the speaker doesn’t no they are not being listened too. So by following the steps of active listening you can be sure that the listener understands everything you say when they interpret what the speaker has said.
Body language
Body language is an important part of communication. Its consists of gesture, facial expressions, eye movements and body posture. Body language can provide clue to how the person is feeling. For example, amusement, boredom, aggression, relaxed state, these are amongst many other clue to how a person is feeling.
There are many other way’s to overcome barriers such as using eye contact which shows both the listener and the speaker there are no other distractions, proximity which means if you are standing far away from someone you will have to shout so they may not hear you, repeating the message or getting individuals to repeat the message so this means if they repeat it correctly you no they are listening.
Alternative forms of communication
There are many other forms of communication such as:
-
Sign language
- Lip-reading
- Use of signs.
- Symbols, pictures and writing
- Technological aids to communication
Interview with Miss Crook Holme Slack Primary School on 02/12/09
I prepared a number of questions to ask Miss Crook about her job. Even though I prepared questions to ask her after I had asked the first couple the interview flowed more naturally. I felt more comfortable when I wasn’t reading of paper but also under pressure to ask the right type of questions. I feel my body language and eye contact was appropriate for this type of one to one discussion. I’m not a confident person, which Miss Crook commented on, she said ‘Nichole is softly spoken and may want to speak with more confidence at times.’ This is a negative comment but very useful for me as I can now improve on my verbal communication. Miss Crook also commented on how I asked lot’s of questions which shows interest.
Group Discussion
In the discussion there was Me, Holly and Chloe and we discussed whether assisted suicide should be made legal. The group discussion was in school around circular table in an I.C.T room. Lucy Vaughan, who is also doing the Health and Social Care BTEC, assed me. Lucy completed an Observation Checklist of Communication. She said I used a good tone of voice, I had strong eye contact with other members of my group, good body language but I interrupted people who where talking but with good points. I also had to asses myself for this group discussion. I feel that I made some good points and I backed them up with evidence to prove why I felt the way I did, I feel that I kept a calm and clear voice throughout the discussion. I feel my body language was appropriate, it was inviting and considerate about people that didn’t feel confident with in the discussion but I feel I could have included them more into the conversation so they could feel more comfortable about putting there opinion across.
