As student nurses, nurses, nursing associates and health professionals, communication is a key part of our job role and something that we all have skills in.
As learning disabilitiy nursing students, communication stands out as one of the ways that we can address the healthcare barriers, and help to bring some equity to care.
As I’m sure that you all know, the words that we use when communicating are such a small part of overall communication with 7% often being the touted figure for face-to-face communication.
With pitch, tone, body language and those non-verbal signs being the majority of what you ‘actually’ say. In learning disabilities nursing, we often have to consider beyond words how to communicate.
In this blog I will consider some of the ways that we have to think outside the box to deliver information, and what communication can be.
First, something to consider as a professional. Behaviours that challenge, is this communication? Yes, this is often forgotten, but a person’s behaviour absolutely is a way of communicating wants or needs. So if you are caring for a person who displays behaviours that you may find challenging, stop and consider what it is that they may be trying to tell you or others.
As professionals we all communicate effectively and in a considered way, but what other ways may we have to think about?
One of the most useful tools in my arsenal as a learning disability nursing student are easy reads, whether that be something I or others have created. The information is displayed in a way that just encompasses the main points, uses clear and simple language and possibly uses images to also convey the message.
These are such a useful tool, as it means that a person with learning disabilities may be able to take this and read at their own leisure to be able to gain an understanding, and it gives information without the jargon and the ‘fluff’. It’s a great way to help someone to feel some autonomy over their health.
Be a matched communication partner, mismatch communication can create a power imbalance, feel patronising or lead to barriers in effective communication. So if a person you speak to uses medical terms, why would you begin to use more simple or colloquial terms; or visa versa.
Use the same level of language. If a person is using talking mats, PECs or alternative communication, you should be using the same type of communication to ensure understanding. And, if a person uses makaton, it may help to know some basic signs, so that you can communicate and understand.
Be comfortable in silence, this has to be learnt, as most of us have learnt to silence. Silence could indicate that a person is processing what has been shared with them, and you break that silence you may restart that processing time.
Being able to sit in a comfortable silence can also help to build some rapport and trust, as there has to be a level of comfort for silence to be comfortable. What’s important with this is being able to read those non-verbal cues to know when silence is processing and when silence means I don’t understand.
Body language says so much and we need to be mindful of this. Standing face on to a person, or standing over them when they are lying or sitting creates an imbalance.
Crossed arms and legs can feel guarded and closed off (for both you and patients). Being slumped can feel disinterested. But shoulders back and head up feels confident and instills trust, sitting eye-to-eye makes it feel that you are on an equal footing and all aid in communication.
Communication feels instinctive, but as professionals we also have to have it be a skill that we hone and are considered in our approach. Because if we are able to communicate effectively we can ensure that people are able to access the healthcare they need.
Emmie Parish is a third-year learning disability nursing student at the University of Greenwich and Nursing Times student editor 2024-25
