Bits and Bites of Blog: Day 2: Actions can speak louder than words!

The Old Man and The Starfish

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Day 2: Actions can speak louder than words!

The power of communication continues on into day two. Seeing what Mike was able to accomplish using only his thumbs was so inspiring. Words are very powerful but communication in its practical sense is universal. Giving individuals a voice allows them to live life. Assistive Technology can not do this on its own. It requires those who are willing to provide the opportunity. It is often necessary to stand back and try to see things from other perspectives. An individual misses out on too much for one to assume nothing can be done, instead we have to but our heads together and use whatever we have available. Our language is only meaningful because we are understand what it represents. If a blink or a gesture has an understood meaning, they too will allow for empowerment.

REMEMBER ONLY THREE THINGS ARE NECESSARY TO COMMUNICATE:

Common Language
A Communication Partner
Joint Attention

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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Communication is any act by which one person gives to or
receives from another person information about that person's needs, desires, perceptions, knowledge or affective states this may be intentional or unintentional, may involve conventional or unconventional signals, may take linguistic or nonlinguistic forms, and may occur through spoken or other modes.
Think of the power of a photograph, a personal item, a kiss, a look, etc. I am beginning to understand several modes of communication. First, in becoming a new mom and having to read the cues of an infant. Secondly, in quickly having to understand the message sent through particular body language with several of my students in the Learning Center.

Although all communicate in some way, the effectiveness and efficiency of this communication vary with a number of individual and environmental factors.
It is very important to consider the following when communicating:

• The goal of the communication interaction

• The focus of interaction

• The duration of interaction

• Content of interaction

• Predictability

• Rate of communication

• Scope of communication (wide,

limited etc.)

• Number of communication

partners

• Familiarity of partners

All of these factors are very important and will determine how the communication will occur if at all. For some of my students, familiarity of the partners is crucial. If the partner is unknown, a 'verbal' conversation will not occur. For others, the communication is to express a piece of information and for those students it is quite difficult to communicate unless there is a clear purpose.

Equally important are the communication partners. They are the recipients of the message(s). An effective communication partner attends to the content of the message, indicates interest in the message /information being conveyed and responds within appropriate time limits in the appropriate manner

I often have this conversation with my students as some need a reminder that conversations a two sided and that is important that a conversation should interest both parties if it is to be continued. A 'long winded' one sided conversation about a topic only one is interested in may lead to avoidance in the future.

The importance of a response is also something that many take for granted. Not all individual understand the importance of responding or showing interest in the individual speaking.

Use of communication devices and/or different communication techniques requires an experienced communication partner to reply or engage in the conversation appropriately. If the individual one is hoping to communicate with does not understand the mode, the conversation will not occur.

Bits and Bites of Blog