Total Communication

Prior Learning: How We Work Gateway Training attendance, Restraint Reduction Principles and Values, Positive Behaviour Support, Adults at Risk Training, Autism Awareness Training, Challenging Behaviour, Active Support
Recommended Participants: Day Opportunities Worker, Day Opportunities Worker with Additional Responsibilities, Behaviour Support Workers, Positive Behaviour Support Workers, Person Centred Planner, Senior Day Opportunities Workers, Team Leaders, Deputy Managers, PBS Lead, Centre Managers, Service Managers, Head of Services, Office Staff, Parents, Drivers and Volunteers
Key Information
Times: 09.30am – 15.30pm
Venue: Redmond Community Centre, Kayani Avenue, Woodberry Down, London, N4 2HF
Nearest Train Station: Manor House
Venue: Acton Day Service, London Network Church, East Acton, W3 7HB, East Acton Central line
Provisions: Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided. Lunch is not provided but there will be a lunch break and there are plenty of shops and cafés nearby. There is also a microwave.
Aims, Topics & Outcome
Aims:
- To understand the communication differences, preferences, and strengths or struggles that people we support may have
- To understand elements required to communicate successfully, and how we can support difficulties or preferences in each area
- To understand the variety of means available to communicate, and how to use these effectively and creatively to aid comprehension, expression, and choice making
- To understand how effective communication enhances quality of support, behaviour support strategies, and therefore quality of life
Topics covered:
- What is Total Communication
- Expressive & Receptive communication, including struggles and imbalances.
- Processing difficulties, preferences, and strategies
- Means of communication, and their complexities e.g. speech, Makaton, symbols, photographs, objects of reference, intensive interaction, body language, facial expressions, vocalisations, actions
- Communication aids e.g. schedules, sequences, choice cards, social stories, easy read, pictorial rota, activity clocks
- Communication differences often found in autism
- Using Total Communication when a person is distressed
Learning Outcomes - by the end of the course participants will be able to:
- Better understand communication difficulties and differences experienced by people who are learning disabled and/or autistic
- Be able to adjust their communication and be responsive to people’s needs and preferences
- Understand how, and why, we use total communication and creative communication aids
- Use total communication to provide quality support and promote best practice
Certification
Delegates will receive a CPD certificate for the course* after successful completion. The certificate is valid for two years, after which time delegates will need to attend again as a refresher. *terms and conditions apply: please see our Training Policy
