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Tips for People with Cognitive Disabilities
General Tips
- Always ask the person how you can best assist.
- Ask/Look for:
- An identification bracelet with special health information.
- Emergency contact information to reach the person’s family.
- Essential equipment and supplies (for example: wheelchair, walker, oxygen, batteries, communication devices [head pointers, alphabet boards, speech synthesizers, etc.]). Medication.
- Mobility aids (for example, wheelchair, cane, walker or an assistance or service animal).
- Special health instructions (for example, allergies).
- Special communication information (for example, the person might say [s]he is stressed, look confused, withdraw, start rubbing their hands together).
- Conditions that people might misinterpret (for example, someone might mistake Cerebral Palsy for drunkenness).
- Try to include the person in conversations with other people; don’t talk about a person in front of that person.
- If the person does not use words to speak, look for gestures or other behaviors that communicate what that person wants to express.
- Don’t assume that people do not understand just because they don’t use words to communicate.
Tips for People with Cognitive Disabilities
(A) Say:
- My name is... I'm here to help you, not hurt you.
- I am a .... (name your job).
- I am here because .... (explain the situation).
- I look different from my picture on my badge because ..... (for example, if you are wearing protective equipment).
(B) Show:
- Your picture identification badge (as you say that above).
- That you are calm and competent.
(C) Give:
- Extra time for the person to process what you are saying and to respond.
- Respect for the dignity of the person as an equal and as an adult (example: speak directly to the person).
- An arm to the person to hold as they walk. If needed, offer your elbow for balance.
- If possible, quiet time to rest (as possible, to lower stress and fatigue).
(D) Use:
- Short Sentences.
- Simple, concrete words.
- Accurate, honest information.
- Pictures and objects to illustrate your words. Point to your ID picture as you say who you are, point to any protective equipment as you speak about it.
(E) Predict:
- What will happen (simply and concretely)?
- When events will happen (tie to common events in addition to numbers and time, for example, "By lunch time...." "By the time the sun goes down....".
- How long this will last - when things will return to normal (if you know).
- When the person can contact or rejoin loved ones (for example: calls to family, re-uniting pets).
(F) Ask for/Look for:
- An identification bracelet with special health information.
- Essential equipment and supplies (for example: wheelchair, walker, oxygen, batteries, communication devices [head pointers, alphabet boards, speech synthesizers, etc.]).
- Medication.
- Mobility aids (for example, assistance or service animals).
- Refer to the section on People with Service Animals.
- Special health instructions (for example: allergies).
- Special communication information (for example, is the person using sign language) such as contact information.
- Signs of stress and/or confusion (for example, the person might say he or she is stressed, look confused, withdraw or start rubbing their hands together).
- Conditions that people might misinterpret (for example, someone might mistake Cerebral Palsy for drunkenness.
(G) Repeat:
- Reassurances (for example, "You may feel afraid. That's OK. We're safe now.").
- Encouragement (for example, "Thanks for moving fast, you are doing great. Other people can look at you and know what to do.").
- Frequent updates on what's happening and what will happen next. Refer to what you predicted will happen (for example: "Just like I said before, we're getting into my car now. We'll go to .... now.").
(H) Reduce:
- Distractions. For example: lower volume of radio, use flashing lights on vehicle only when necessary.
(I) Explain:
- Any written material (including signs) in everyday language.
- Public address system announcements in simple language.
(J) Share:
- The information you've learned about the person with other workers who'll be assisting the person.
Resources
- Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Services, (405) 521-3571
- Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Aging Services, (405) 521-2281
- Center for Learning and Leadership, (405) 271-4500
- Oklahoma Disability Law Center, (800) 880-7755
- TARC, (800) 688-8272