Communication With Clients With Special Needs

Question 1

• Stand of seat near client and speak clearly and slowly using a low pitched voice
• Ensure environment has adequate lighting and is quiet and free from distractions
• use therapeutic communication techniques to ensure that message sent is message received
• use writing if necessary to enhance communication with this client
• avoid using a loud voice when speaking to this client

Answer 1

Hearing impaired/ difficulty hearing

Question 2

• Ensure environment has adequate lighting
• Ensure quality of spoken word matches message communicated
• remember that this type of client may not be able to use non-verbal cues to help interpret messages

Answer 2

Difficulty seeing

Question 3

Encourage the client to write a response or use word boards or pictures to ensure effective communication.

-use paraphrasing, clarification or whatever to help communicate with this client.

Answer 3

• Mute or unable to speak due to an artificial airway (trache)

Question 4

• Ensure language is simple, concise, and spoken slowly and calmly
• allow enough time for the client to process the information
• use environmental cues to convey message to this client

Ex) hold the toothbrush in view while asking if client would like to brush his teeth.

Answer 4

Cognitively impaired

Question 5

• Use touch along with spoken word and try to elicit a response from this client
• ask a closed question like, “can you hear me?” and observe for non-verbal cues that may indicate client has receive message to try and obtain a response.
• Speak to client in a manner that assumes client can hear every spoken word
• avoid having conversations about client’s status or that are irrelevant to client at the bedside.

Answer 5

Unresponsive

Question 6

-Seek a professional medical interpreter
until one is unavailable, you have to communicate non-verbally.
-use pictures, environmental cues, and body language to communicate with this client.

Answer 6

Non-English speaking clients