General Suggestions for Facilitating

Facilitation techniques that provide opportunities for communication/interaction

 Use multi-modality communication o Writing o Drawing o Gestures  Use slower speaking rate in order to accommodate slower language processing  Be patient and supportive of client’s communicative efforts by waiting and using open facial expressions and body language  Check for understanding and repeat if necessary in order to facilitate message comprehension (e.g., “So you think she should have gone back to the farm. Is that right?”)  Be deliberate when changing to a new topic (e.g., “Let’s move on to chapter 16, which starts on pg. 116 ”)  Encourage client to use alternative modality of communication when they are experiencing a communication breakdown (e.g. “would it help to write it down or draw it”)  Use good listening and attending skills to aid client in communication breakdowns (when a client is unable to use an alternative modality to communicate a particular word, the clinician writes down the word, says it and then checks for accuracy with client)  Watch for instances where clients may disagree with each other and validate both opinions (e.g., “I think your right Sam, she was very sad when she lost her dog; but Allison, I think you also have a good point about her being hopeful that the dog would be found”)  Ask open-ended questions!  Start with an example or personal opinion…”I really liked how David tried to avoid using the letter “s”. What did you all like?  Take a vote. “Who liked the speech therapist? Who didn’t like her?”  Asking a specific group member if they agree/disagree with another group member  Rephrase/Paraphrase what a group member comments on “Let me see if I understand…do you mean…”  Have one group member ask another group member what her opinion is.  Reference the text. Ask group: can anyone find the place where ______?  Facilitate choral reading.  Ask one participant to summarize what we’ve just read.  Ask a participant how they answered a specific question.  Pay attention to all members and be ready to bring someone back into the conversation  When members get off topic, bring everyone back together and move on  Make sure all members are getting their chance to speak Supported Communication Tips sheet

 Acknowledge what the person is saying (head nodding, “I see…”)  Congruent overlap (partner mirrors- joint laughing)  Accommodation (don’t just use words)  Clarification Sequences  Short simple sentences  Write-key words you say/symbols  Write choices  Pictures/drawing  Gestures  Adult tone of voice  Volume-alerting strategy (give it some emphasis)  Give the person time to respond  Write down what they say- key words  Repeat back- “did you mean…?  Verify- “let me make sure I understand”  Ask yes/no questions  Ask if you can make suggestions “Can I help?”

References:

Lee, Jaime. “ Supported communication.” CDS 654: Adult Language Disorders. University of Oregon. 7 April 2011.

Simmons-Mackie N & Kagan A. 1999. Communication strategies used by ‘good’ versus ‘poor’ speaking partners of individuals with aphasia. Aphasiology, 13;9-11:807-20.