AN 72: Support individuals with specific communication needs

1. Understand an individual’s specific communication needs

• 1.1 Explain the importance of meeting an individual’s communication needs
• 1.2 Explain how and when to access information and support in relation to communication needs
• 1.3 Explain how own role and practice can impact on communication with an individual who has specific communication needs
• 1.4 Identify a range of communication methods and aids to support individuals to communicate
• 1.5 Analyse features of the environment that impact on communication
• 1.6 Explain reasons why an individual may use a form of communication that is not based on a formal language system
• 1.7 Describe the potential effects on an individual of having unmet communication needs

2. Understand how to support the use of communication technology and aids

• 2.1 Identify specialist services relating to communication technology and aids
• 2.2 Describe types of support that an individual may need in order to use communication technology and aids
• 2.3 Explain the importance of ensuring that communication equipment is correctly set up and working properly

3. Be able to contribute to identifying and addressing specific communication needs of individuals

• 3.1 Work in partnership with the individual and others to identify the individual’s communication needs
• 3.2 Contribute to identifying communication methods or aids to meet the individual’s communication needs

4. Be able to interact with individuals using their preferred communication method

• 4.1 Prepare the environment to facilitate communication
• 4.2 Use agreed methods of communication to interact with the individual
• 4.3 Monitor the individual’s responses during and after the interaction
• 4.4 Adapt own practice to improve communication with the individual

5. Be able to promote communication between individuals and others

• 5.1 Support the individual to develop communication methods
• 5.2 Provide opportunities for the individual to communicate with others
• 5.3 Support others to be understood by the individual
• 5.4 Support others to understand the individual

6. Be able to review an individual’s communication needs and the support provided

• 6.1 Collate information in relation to an individual’s communication and the support provided
• 6.2 Contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of agreed methods of communication and support provided
• 6.3 Work with others to support the continued development of communication