Nonverbal Communication: Myths and …...exposed to 4,380 hours of oral language at a rate of 8 hours/day starting at birth. A child who has a communication system and receives speech/language

Nonverbal Communication:

Myths and Misconceptions

Kelly RuizOffice of Developmental Programs (ODP), Special Populations Unit

6/27/2019 1

Today we’ll cover…

• Who Can Communicate?

• Augmentative and Alternative

Communication

• Age, Ability, and Communication

• Supporting Communication Development

• Question and Answer Time

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Who Can Communicate?

Myth?

Not everyone is able to

communicate

FALSE!

Everyone communicates.6/27/2019 3


4

Everyday Lives- Values in Actions

• Recommendation #1: Assure Effective Communication

Every person has an effective way to communicate in

order to express choice and ensure his or her health

and safety. All forms of communication should consider

and include the individual’s language preferences and

use of current technology.


Myth?

Language and Communication are

Synonyms.

FALSE!

“Language” and “communication” are

different terms.

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Language- the method of human communication, either

spoken, signed, or written, consisting of the use of words in

a structured and conventional way.

Communication- the successful conveying or sharing of

ideas and feelings


Communication

Languages

English

Mandarin Chinese

American Sign Language

Spanish

French Sign Language

Australian Sign Language

Swahili

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Modes of Communication

Verbal or Signed Language

Speech Generating Devices (ie. Tablets

with a Speech Generating App)

Picture Boards

Visual Gestural Communication (VGC)

Tactile Cues

Picture Exchange Communication System

(PECS)

Behavior- what happens when effective

communication is not accessible

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Examples of how to express the same idea or feeling in

language and through a mode of communication:

Language:

English

“I can’t believe we

spent 3 hours in a

meeting that could

have been an email.”

Communication:

Body language, facial

expression



Myth?

The way someone expressively

communicates is the same way that they

receive receptive communication.

FALSE!

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• Expressive Language/Communication: ability to

express information through spoken language, sign

language, and/or a mode of communication

• Receptive Language/Communication: ability to

comprehend information through spoken language, sign

language, and/or a mode of communication

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Examples of Differing Expressive and Receptive Skills:

1) A person who is deaf may have great spoken language skills, but may not

be able to hear well enough to receptively understand spoken English. This

individual may prefer to communicate with you through an interpreter, by

writing notes back and forth, or by lipreading.

2) An individual with Autism may be able to receptively understand spoken

English, but may not be able to successfully respond in spoken English.

They may prefer to use a picture board, PECS, or a speech generating

device to expressively communicate with you.

If you’re not sure how to communicate with someone, just ask!

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Other Related Misconceptions:

1) Nonverbal = No communication

Not using spoken language does not mean that someone cannot communicate

2) American Sign Language (ASL) = English through hand motions

ASL is it’s own, independent language from English. It is recognized as a language by the

United States and Canadian governments.

3) ASL is an international language

ASL is the signed language mainly in the US and Canada. Just like spoken languages, the

Deaf community in most countries have their own signed language that connects to their

own culture

4) Deaf versus deaf

A Deaf person is a part of the Deaf community. A person who is deaf has a hearing loss and

does not identify as a member of the Deaf Community.

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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Myth?

AAC refers to highly technological

devices used for communication

True and False!

AAC refers to any mode of communication

that is not a spoken language.

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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

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Aided: uses some sort of

tool or device to support

communication.

Two Systems of AAC:

Unaided: does not need

anything but your own body

to use unaided systems.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Aided:

Pencils and Pens

Instant Messaging

Speech Generating Devices (tablets, switches, etc.)

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Braille

Picture Systems

Symbol Systems

Artifacts

Tactile Cues

Object of Referral

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Unaided:

Body Language

American Sign Language

Foreign Sign Languages (French, Mexican, Chinese, etc.)

Sign Exact English

Pidgin Sign Language

Visual Gestural Communication

Eye Gaze

Haptics/Touch Cues

Paralanguages

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Touch cues


Myth?

Some AAC Systems are also

Assistive Technology.

True! Assistive Technology: any aid or device that provides

individuals with disabilities with an effective method to

access information that has traditionally been inaccessible

because of a disability. 6/27/2019 17

Categories of Assistive Technology

Low/Light Technology:

- Does not have an

energy source

- Requires little to no

training

- Most common

- Examples:

- Highlighter

- Squishy/stress balls

- Post-it’s

- Velcro

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Mid Technology:

- May have an energy

source

- May require some in

depth training

- Least common

- Examples:

- Calculators

- Manual wheelchair

- Adaptive switches/toys

- Adapted seating (ie

chair with seatbelt)

High Technology:

- Has an energy

source

- Requires training

- Examples:

- Computer

- Electronic Tablet

- SMART Board

- Motorized wheelchair

- Specialized Alarm

Systems (ie Flashing

light doorbell)

AAC VS AT

POP QUIZ!

6/27/2019 19

AT VS AAC

Paralanguages: the nonlexical component of

communication by speech, for example intonation, pitch

and speed of speaking, hesitation noises, gesture, and

facial expression.

Unaided AAC, Aided AAC/AT, or AT?

Unaided AAC

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AT VS AAC

Picture Exchange Communication System: a structured

system of pictures meant to develop spontaneous

language skills


Aided AAC/AT

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AT VS AAC

Speech Generating Devices: portable electronic devices that

allow people using them to create a message and produce

speech


Aided AAC/AT

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AT VS AAC

American Sign Language (ASL): a complete, natural

language that has the same linguistic properties as

spoken languages, with grammar that differs from English.

ASL is expressed by movements of the hands and face.


Unaided AAC

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AT VS AAC

Motorized Wheelchair- wheelchair propelled by a motor


AT

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The Overlap Between AT and AAC

Name of Communication System Assistive Technology AAC

Spoken Language No No

American Sign Language No Yes (unaided)

Foreign Sign Language No Yes (unaided)

Sign Exact English No Yes (unaided)

Pidgin Sign Language No Yes (unaided)

Tactile Sign Language No Yes (unaided)

Visual Gestural Communication No Yes (unaided)

Paralanguage No Yes (unaided)

Haptics/Touch Cues No Yes (unaided)

Eye Gaze No Yes (unaided)

Voice Output Devices Yes (high tech) Yes (aided)

PECS Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Print Systems Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Braille Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Symbol Systems Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Artifacts Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Tactile Cues Yes (low/light tech) Yes (aided)

Object Of Referral Yes (low/light tech) Yes (unaided)

6/27/2019 25

Age, Ability, and Communication

Myth?

After school is over, there is no way to improve

someone’s communication skills. They have

reached their highest potential after graduation.

FALSE!

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Think about this:

The average 18 month old child has been

exposed to 4,380 hours of oral language at a

rate of 8 hours/day starting at birth. A child who

has a communication system and receives

speech/language therapy two times per week for

20-30 minutes per session will reach this same

amount of language exposure in 84 years.

- Jane Korsten

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• Ways to support language development after the critical window

has passed or for a child or adult who also has a intellectual

disability, Autism, hearing loss, or language disorder:

– Provide them an environment that is rich in their primary

language

– Provide their language or mode of communication at all times

– Continue to model and provide detailed language even when

they are not producing the same level of communication

– Use multiple tools or modes of communication to get your

point across

– Don’t give up!

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Supporting Communication Development

Myth?

I don’t need a speech pathologist or

communication specialist to try to

support someone’s communication.

TRUE!

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Supporting Language and Communication Development

Most Common Supports:

– Symbols

– Providing support in another language or

communication system the individual may know

– Images of concrete/familiar objects

– Modeling

– Real Objects or Artifacts

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Supporting Language and Communication

6/27/2019

If you have one hundred of these, you have a

dollar. What are we talking about? We are talking

about the penny. The penny is the most common

coin in the United States. The U.S. Mint produces

billions of these coins each year.

The U.S. Mint made its first copper penny in

1793. Since then, there have been many different

pictures on pennies. Abraham Lincoln’s picture

went on the penny in 1909. The other side showed

wheat. Today, Lincoln’s face is still on the penny.

Pennies are now made of zinc. They have only

a tiny bit of copper in them. Over the years, some

things have changed with the penny. But one thing

remains the same. A penny is still worth one cent.















Symbols

Language and Communication Collaboration

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Concrete Image

Modeling

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Pictorial Calendar/Visual Schedule

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• Monthly calendar with real

images

• Days can be crossed off when

completed

• Daily schedule with real

images

• Activities can be removed

when completed

Video/Image Dictionary

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Supporting Language Development

Myth?

Supporting someone who has

communication needs is extremely

complicated and there’s no one for me to

contact for support

FALSE!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!6/27/2019 36

Final Myth: There is No Help!

• Organizations to Contact in PA:

– Office of Developmental Programs: Special Populations Unit

• [email protected]

–Provides communication support consultations, not just

for Deaf consumers!

– Temple University: Tech OWL (Technology for Our Whole

Lives)

• [email protected]

–Lending library, Affordable AT, Free Special Phones,

Trainings, Emergency Planning, Demonstrations, and

much more! 6/27/2019 37

mailto:[email protected]


Thank you!

Questions?

*If you are an SC with expertise with deaf individuals, contact me

Kelly Ruiz

Deaf and Nontraditional Communication Professional

[email protected]

6/27/2019 38


Documents

Nonverbal Communication: Myths and …...exposed to 4,380 hours of oral language at a rate of 8 hours/day starting at birth. A child who has a communication system and receives speech/language