Communication is fundamental to the lives of people with profound and complex
difficulties. It is essential to the development of future learning, self-advocacy
and life skills. Despite the difficulties people have, with the right support from
enablers, people can continue to develop their communication skills throughout
their lives.
People with profound and complex learning difficulties use a wide range of highly
individualised methods of communication. These can be very subtle,
unconventional and difficult for others to read. Staff working with individuals can
create an environment which respects, values and shapes these attempts into
more standardised communication methods
People with profound and complex difficulties need to communicate with
many staff, enablers and family members. Any communication strategy, if it is
to be successful, needs to be shared and promoted by all who come into
contact with an individual.
This example illustrates multi-agency collaboration and the use of
communication profiles and dictionaries.
Educational and community providers use individual learning plans to set
targets and record progress for learners. These plans enable learners to work
towards their long term goals as identified on their person centred plan, by
identifying clear goals, reviewing targets and recording progress.
Person centred approaches and adults with learning difficulties
A person centred approach to initial assessment involves placing the learner
at the heart of the process. Practitioners need to listen to individuals and
respect their views, their aspirations and interests. This method can empower
an individual and support future learning opportunities
The following group activities have been put together for tutors to assess
learner’s communication skills against the pre-entry curriculum framework
milestones.
Person-centred learning is a way of working with adults with learning
difficulties that puts the individual at the centre of the learning process.
Planning a numeracy lesson including learners from
milestone 1 to entry level in numeracy learning
Using ICT to develop cause & effect understanding in learners
who have profound and complex disabilities
