Communication support strategies

To maintain communication it is important to 'problem solve' and to use preserved muscle function. The speech pathologist assists in finding the best way for a person living with MND to communicate.

Murphy 2004

Communication strategies of people living with motor neurone disease:

Speaking strategies:
- repetition, spelling and key words
- breathing, relaxation and energy conservation
Conversation strategies:
- partner interpretation and confirmation
- context and topic cues
- attitude and humour
Non-verbal strategies:
- positioning and gesture
- facial expression and eye contact
Augmentative and assistive communication strategies:
- Low-tech: alphabet chart, communication chart, pen and paper
- High-tech: (not covered in this study)

MND Australia 2011

Communication support strategies:

take time to create a relaxed atmosphere
encourage the person with MND to slow down speech and carefully articulate words
positioning - face-to-face, watch lips, eyes, gestures, reduce background noise
avoid interruptions or trying to finish sentences
encourage writing of key words to augment verbal communication
ascertain the individual’s own preferred means of communication
establish gestures or signals for ‘yes’ and ‘no’
ask questions which only need a ‘yes/no’ answer

Augmentative and assistive communication devices:

writing, alphabet board, communication charts, perspex eye-gaze frame (ETRAN board)
hands-free telephone, telephone typewriter (TTY), call bell, personal alarm
laser head pointer, computer software, tablets, eye-tracking devices, Lightwriter