Ways of communicating
There are thousands of ways to communicate and connect – be it through speech, sign language, touch, movement, gesture, sound, pictures, objects or electronic aids.
At Sense, we use whatever mix works best to help disabled people with complex needs, or people who are deafblind, to communicate and experience the world.
This is called a total communication approach.
Remember, it’s never too late to start learning a new way of communicating. Have a go and don’t worry about getting it wrong.
Common ways of communicating include:
- Sign language.
- Makaton, a simpler version of sign language.
- Braille uses raised dots to touch.
- Deafblind Manual spelling words on to your hand.
- Lipreading.
Types of communication
These are the main ways of communicating that we use:
-
Using touch
- Braille uses raised dots to touch.
- Deafblind Manual spells words on to your hand.
- Block alphabet spells letters on to your hand.
- Moon uses raised lines, curves and dots to touch.
- Tadoma uses lipreading by touch.
- Hand-under-hand signing using touch.
-
Using signs
- Sign language.
- Makaton, a simpler version of sign language.
- Visual frame signing for people with reduced vision.
- Objects of reference
-
Using speech
-
Also
- Non-formal communication without speaking, writing or signing.
- Intensive Interaction treats everything as communication.
Want to know more about Sense? Our emails land in your inbox every week.