Module 2

Module 2: “Communication Skills in the Context of Health and Wellness”
Updated February 2024

Introduction to Module 2:
This module is designed to help trainees, students and health professionals to increase their knowledge and skills to improve communication with people with intellectual disabilities (ID).  The resources in this module concern:  communication during health care and wellness encounters with people with ID; cultural and linguistic competence in communication; working with interpreters;  inclusion strategies in written and electronic communication; language use to demonstrate respect; supporting self-determination in health; the use of technology for effective communication; and communication with people with sensory challenges and language differences.

Click on a scenario to access the resources:
Scenario 1: Communication skills for working with people with ID in the context of health care and wellness encounters.
Scenario 2: Cultural and linguistic competency in communication; working with interpreters
Scenario 3: Inclusion strategies in written and electronic communication with people with ID concerning health and wellness
Scenario 4: Language to demonstrate respect
Scenario 5: Communication to support self-determination in health
Scenario 6: Use of technology for effective communication by and with people with ID
Scenario 7: Communication with people with sensory challenges such as hearing loss and visual impairment

Developed in 2015 by  Karen Edwards MD MPH and Catherine Yankou, MPH, Westchester Institute for Human Development; Review and Input By Adriane K Griffen, DrPH, MPH, MCHES  of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities; Revision and update in 2021 by Karen Edwards, MD, MPH