How to Communicate With People Who Have Developmental Disabilities

Individuals with developmental disabilities may have mental or physical impairments that influence their motor, language and learning skills. Developmental disabilities can affect the nervous system, senses, metabolism and degeneration -- appearing as autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, vision impairment, hearing loss or cerebral palsy, according to the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. Communicating with a child or adult with disabilities requires understanding and patience to avoid frustration. Gaining awareness and implementing new techniques will create clear and smooth communication.

Instructions

• 1

  Assess the individuals' specific area of disability or impairment through observation and respond accordingly. Adjust your vocabulary to match the child or adult's age-appropriate level of intellectual ability. Don't oversimplify your language based on perception; instead, look directly at the person, enunciate and speak normally. If the individual appears confused or expresses a lack of understanding, rephrase your sentence, ensuring that the meaning is clear.

• 2

  Speak in positive, uncomplicated sentences. Avoid negative or potentially offensive words, and err on the side of caution if you are unsure about a particular phrase. If the individual is vision or hearing impaired, clarity in words and actions are important for preventing misunderstandings or accidentally frightening the person.

• 3

  Ask the person if they would like assistance before reaching out to help. Mutual respect creates a positive atmosphere and puts everyone at ease. Accept any assistance the individual may have including a wheelchair, cane, service dog or sign language interpreter. Work with these sources of assistance, but focus your attention on the individual.

• 4

  View communication with individuals with a developmental disability as a learning experience. Practice patience by holding eye contact while they are talking or writing. Reduce distractions in the environment, and don't be offended if you have to repeat yourself several times. Take a deep breath, and accept that the conversation can be successful without being perfect.