communication

__**Communication**__ People with Learning Disabilities are at a high risk of having increased communication problems. This can then increase the complexity of their health needs. __**Communication - Definition**__ Communication is the process whereby speech, signs or actions transmit information from one person to another. This definition is concise and definitive but doesn’t include all the aspects of communication. There are other definitions, which state that communication involves transmitting information from one party to another. This broader definition doesn’t require that the receiving party obtain a full understanding of the message. Of course, communication is better when both parties understand but it can still exist even without that component. [] __**Learning Disability – Definition**__ Learning Disability is a significant lifelong experience that has 3 main components:
 * 1) Reduced ability to understand new or complex information or learn new skills.
 * 2) Reduced ability to cope independently.
 * 3) Onset before adulthood (18) with lasting effect on development.

People with Learning Disabilities can learn and develop – it just takes longer. There are also differing terminology labels:
 * Not an illness
 * Not a Mental Health Issue
 * Not a Learning Difficulty eg Dyslexia.

__**Why do we need to communicate?**__ __**What Problems do People with Learning Disabilities face with communication?**__ __**What Communication Aids are available?**__ There are a few ways of aiding communication for people with learning disabilities, Adults and Children alike: Devised over 20 years ago for children and adults with a variety of communication and learning disabilities, then updated and revised in 1996 to reflect the UK's modern multi-cultural society, Makaton is as vital as ever. It is used extensively all over the UK and has been adapted for use in forty other countries. [] PECS is used mostly with people who are on the Autistic Spectrum. Once practiced and used regularly it can be a great way to develop a child's communication and open up their world. The basis of PECS is that when the child using the PECS system wants an item such as crisps they choose the appropriate pictures to make the statement; “I want crisps”. Once the child has became has a good grasp of the PECS system they can then move on to learn other, more challenging ways of communicating. __**References**__
 * We need to communicate to express our needs and wants.
 * Some people with learning disabilities find it harder to communicate.
 * We as nurses can help them to new ways to aid communication.
 * People with learning disabilities face many issues when communicating.
 * Speech may be difficult or impossible.
 * They may not be able to express their needs by pointing or going to that need… eg. Going to the kettle for a cup of tea may be impossible for someone who is in a wheelchair, if the kettle is against the wall on a work surface…
 * Communication aids can be offered to ease communication worries….
 * Makaton - Makaton provides a visual representation of language which increases understanding and makes expressive communication easier.
 * British Sign Language - Sign language is a visual form of communication using gestures, facial expressions and body language. Sign language is most commonly used with people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment but is also used throughout the Learning Disability community.
 * Fingerspelling is used in sign language to spell out the names of people or places that does not have a corresponding sign. It is also used to spell out words that the signer does not know the appropriate sign. Fingerspelling is a similar form of sign language and is useful to be familiar with as it may also be used among the Learning Disability community.
 * PECS –
 * [|http://www.makaton.org]
 * []
 * [|http://callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk/SCN/Level_A_SCA/Using_Symbols_SCB/Hot_PECS_News_HTA/hot_pecs_news_hta.html#1]
 * []
 * Same as you – Scottish Executive 2001.