Communicating With Adult With Intellectual Disabilities

By Daphne Bowen


The physical aspect of your body is not the only aspect that gets to experience conditions and illnesses. This can also be observed in your mental state. The only difference is at times, you cannot see it and there are no physical manifestations of this sickness. But sooner or later, you might be able to observe changes in the physicality of a person because of a mental condition.

Effects that can be expected include the changes in behavior. If the condition gravely affects the person, they might not act normal towards others and often think to themselves. Changes in their mind and mental capacities would be evident as well. There are times when they might become adults with intellectual disabilities which could provide disadvantages to the patient.

Several causes create these things to happen to someone. At times, this could be an inborn condition and the only way for cure is to constantly submit for treatment. Instances of accidents could also be the reason behind all of these. When it directly affects the head, some parts might be subject to damage.

Medical specialists in charge of treating patients with these conditions are required to go through different kinds of training. One is to always observe the way you speak with them. People like these have awareness. They are still very knowledgeable of what is happening around them. One indication of a wrong move might upset them. To effectively communicate, it is necessary to talk in the right manner.

They are no longer children. And if you talk to them in a child like manner, they are sure to take it the wrong way. It has to be a direct mode of speech but a clear one for you to easily capture their attention and make them understand. This is the common mistake of many people. Whether you are a doctor or someone with connection to them, this is rule number one.

Most of these people are in medical facilities all the time. This means that they do not get out that often and they have no idea what words other people are using on the outside already. Because of this, it is not advised to speak to them using unfamiliar words. This will only confuse the both of you and make it difficult for them to understand.

As someone who converses with them, it is also necessary that you listen and understand what they are saying. Some of those with disabilities have difficulty in speaking or do not communicate that well at all. But when they do other things that usually involves their skills, they could perfectly do it.

Shouting is not the solution to everything. This is the reason why you must have patience in talking with them. Shouting at them will not get you anywhere. Aside from that, it would also only make them upset and they might refuse to talk to you for the remainder of your time together.

These are basic things you must think about when you are treating patients. For doctors that specialize in this, it is part of their training. Many establishments provide seminars so that they could learn what to do in order to make progress with treatments in connection to the current condition of the patient.




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