Scenario 1: Communication skills for working with people with ID in the context of health care and wellness encounters

Eight years into her professional career, a former LEND trainee is directing an interdisciplinary team at a new health transition program. Her staff will be working with youth and young adults with ID as they transition to adult health settings. What resources can she consult to assure that they have the necessary communication skills?

Delivering the highest quality services and supports for people with intellectual (ID) requires skillful communication. The resources listed below provide guidance and training concerning eliminating communication barriers.


RESOURCES:

Title:  Communicating Effectively (2011)

Source:  Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Health Care for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Toolkit for Primary Care Providers

Find at: https://iddtoolkit.vkcsites.org/general-issues/communicating-effectively/

Description:  “Some people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) have communication difficulties.  People with intellectual disabilities or those whose disabilities directly affect speech, hearing, or sight are more likely to have communication difficulties… Even when a communication difficulty exists, the exact barrier and the best way to address it often varies”


Title:  Disability Competent Care

Source:  Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Find at:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/hcpf/disability-competent-care

Description:  This website provides videos and references concerning the healthcare experience for people with disabilities; core values of disability competent care; disability competent communication access; and disability competent physical access.


Title:  Effective Communication for Health Care Providers:  a guide to caring for people with disabilities (Riddle, Romelczyk and Sparling, 2011)

Source: Center for Disability Studies, University of Delaware

Find at: https://www.cds.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/effective-communication.pdf

Description:  “Disability can impact communication. Identifying a patient’s disability and its potential impact on effective communication is the first step in reducing the risk of miscommunication. The type of disability – whether intellectual, sensory, mobility or mental health – will help determine the kind of accommodation needed.”


Title:  Visit to the Occupational Therapist/Social Worker Communication Training (2013) (Video:  8 minutes 40 seconds)

Find at:  http://www.wihd.org/resources/resource/video-training-on-communicating-with-individuals-with-disabilities-during-health-encounters

Source:  Mercy College and the LEND Program at Westchester Institute for Human Development

Description:  This video scenario provides tips and strategies for health professionals to communicate effectively and respectfully with people with ID.  The video is moderated by Mitch Levitz, Self-advocacy Coordinator at Westchester Institute for Human Development.


Title:  Tips for Health Care Professionals (2013) (Video:  6 minutes 33 seconds)

Source:  The Arc’s Autism Now

Find at:  http://autismnow.org/2014/01/07/video-tips-for-healthcare-professionals/

Description:  Nicole LeBlanc of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) provides tips on how health care professionals working with people with autism and other developmental disabilities can make the health care experience more accessible.


Title:  Disability Healthcare Training- Healthcare Access for Persons with Disabilities (On-Demand Presentations)

Source:  Ohio Disability and Health Program at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Find at:  http://nisonger.osu.edu/education-training/ohio-disability-health-program/disability-healthcare-training/

Description:  “These courses are designed to increase the capacity of health care providers to provide quality healthcare for persons with disabilities. Part I: Persons with Physical and Sensory Disabilities (WB2695) and Part II: Persons with Developmental Disabilities (WD2564) trainings present various disability issues, serving to strengthen participants’ competence in physical/sensory and developmental disabilities.” These courses “are approved for continuing education by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for physicians, nurses, certified health education specialists and other health professionals.”