Tips for communicating with people with aphasia
The Aphasia Alliance's Top Tips for 'Aphasia Friendlier' Communication
During 2012, the Aphasia Alliance worked together to draw up some ‘top tips’ about communicating with people with aphasia.
These ‘top tips’ are designed to help when communicating with someone, or people, with Aphasia. However, we believe these tips can help when communicating with nearly everyone.
You will find some ‘top tips’ that will help with please click on the underlined word
· conversations with people with aphasia
· public speaking when people with aphasia are in the audience
· written communication
These are some of the Aphasia Alliance's ‘top tips’. They are not complete lists.
Some of the Aphasia Alliance member organisations have developed resources to help specifically with communication with people with aphasia:
Aphasia Now Communication Strategies http://www.aphasianow.org/Resources/Communication_Strategies;_Aids~216/
Connect Various publications http://www.ukconnect.org/publications.aspx
Speakability Various publications http://www.speakability.org.uk/Publications+and+Training
Stroke Association Accessible Information Guidelines http://www.stroke.org.uk/professionals/accessible-information-guidelines
Written Communication
· use large font size - 14 or larger
· use a Sans Serif font - (e.g. Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, and many more)
· use short clear sentences
· leave plenty of space between lines
· use at least 1.5 spacing between lines
· use clear headings to signpost information
· highlight the key points
o bold - (be careful not to over use, because it feels like shouting)
o bullet points
o text boxes to highlight important information
· use numbers (1, 2, 3) instead of words (one, two, three)
· do not use block capitals (you lose the shape of the word)
For longer documents
· add a brief summary (3-4 bullet points) at the beginning of the document for those who can't read it all
· divide the information into topics
· include
o an index
o a helpful words section at the back
Using pictures
· photos are often better than clip-art, although not always
· put pictures near the text where appropriate
· use the appropriate picture for the context
· use a picture that describes the idea, not the word (e.g. do not use a picture of a cup of tea for 'making a cup of tea', show someone making the tea)
Conversations with people with aphasia
· avoid background noise where possible
· make eye contact with the person
· speak clearly
· speak at a normal speed, not too fast, not too slow
(If you speak fast normally, slow down)
· use short clear sentences – give one piece of information at a time
· ask one question at a time - Do you want tea? Do you want coffee?
· don’t rush - allow time for the person to take in what you are saying
· be patient - give the person with aphasia space to respond at their pace
· signal a change of topic
· use facial expression, tone of voice, pointing and gesture to help explain what you are talking about
· have paper and pen available for both parties
· write down key words
· use maps, calendars and photos (e.g. family members) to show what you are talking about
· encourage the person to communicate in any way he/she can
· encourage the person to let you know when they have not understood
· clarify - and rephrase when necessary
· listen to and watch for clues in facial responses, tone of voice, pointing and gestures (non-verbal responses)
· allow time for rests
Public Speaking
· use short clear sentences
· speak clearly
· pitch - speak loud enough so that all can hear
· vary your tone of voice - don't speak at a monotone
· pause - don’t rush, pause occasionally
· pace - speak at a normal speed, not too fast, not too slow
· signal a change of topic
· clarify - and rephrase when necessary
· summarise
· do not speak for too long - allow for rests
During 2012, the Aphasia Alliance worked together to draw up some ‘top tips’ about communicating with people with aphasia.
These ‘top tips’ are designed to help when communicating with someone, or people, with Aphasia. However, we believe these tips can help when communicating with nearly everyone.
You will find some ‘top tips’ that will help with please click on the underlined word
· conversations with people with aphasia
· public speaking when people with aphasia are in the audience
· written communication
These are some of the Aphasia Alliance's ‘top tips’. They are not complete lists.
Some of the Aphasia Alliance member organisations have developed resources to help specifically with communication with people with aphasia:
Aphasia Now Communication Strategies http://www.aphasianow.org/Resources/Communication_Strategies;_Aids~216/
Connect Various publications http://www.ukconnect.org/publications.aspx
Speakability Various publications http://www.speakability.org.uk/Publications+and+Training
Stroke Association Accessible Information Guidelines http://www.stroke.org.uk/professionals/accessible-information-guidelines
Written Communication
· use large font size - 14 or larger
· use a Sans Serif font - (e.g. Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, and many more)
· use short clear sentences
· leave plenty of space between lines
· use at least 1.5 spacing between lines
· use clear headings to signpost information
· highlight the key points
o bold - (be careful not to over use, because it feels like shouting)
o bullet points
o text boxes to highlight important information
· use numbers (1, 2, 3) instead of words (one, two, three)
· do not use block capitals (you lose the shape of the word)
For longer documents
· add a brief summary (3-4 bullet points) at the beginning of the document for those who can't read it all
· divide the information into topics
· include
o an index
o a helpful words section at the back
Using pictures
· photos are often better than clip-art, although not always
· put pictures near the text where appropriate
· use the appropriate picture for the context
· use a picture that describes the idea, not the word (e.g. do not use a picture of a cup of tea for 'making a cup of tea', show someone making the tea)
Conversations with people with aphasia
· avoid background noise where possible
· make eye contact with the person
· speak clearly
· speak at a normal speed, not too fast, not too slow
(If you speak fast normally, slow down)
· use short clear sentences – give one piece of information at a time
· ask one question at a time - Do you want tea? Do you want coffee?
· don’t rush - allow time for the person to take in what you are saying
· be patient - give the person with aphasia space to respond at their pace
· signal a change of topic
· use facial expression, tone of voice, pointing and gesture to help explain what you are talking about
· have paper and pen available for both parties
· write down key words
· use maps, calendars and photos (e.g. family members) to show what you are talking about
· encourage the person to communicate in any way he/she can
· encourage the person to let you know when they have not understood
· clarify - and rephrase when necessary
· listen to and watch for clues in facial responses, tone of voice, pointing and gestures (non-verbal responses)
· allow time for rests
Public Speaking
· use short clear sentences
· speak clearly
· pitch - speak loud enough so that all can hear
· vary your tone of voice - don't speak at a monotone
· pause - don’t rush, pause occasionally
· pace - speak at a normal speed, not too fast, not too slow
· signal a change of topic
· clarify - and rephrase when necessary
· summarise
· do not speak for too long - allow for rests
