Overcoming challenges: Language

In this video, we looked at some guidelines for communicating effectively with people with an intellectual disability.

Thinking about these best practice guidelines, we’d like you to look at the following text, which presents fictional scenarios between a doctor and a person with an intellectual disability.

1. Hi Mary, it’s great to see you again. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll be finished with this blood pressure test in two ticks. So, how are your feeling today?

2. Now get yourself ready and we’ll do this test with the stadiometer.

3. Don’t forget to take these tablets every day at 1pm, ok?

4. There are lots of reasons why we are weighing you today but you don’t need to worry about it as we will be telling your carer all about it once you have left.

Your turn

In the comments section below, we would like you to select one statement and rephrase it using our guidelines.

You can do this by either typing the text directly into the comment box, or copying and pasting the text and editing in the comment box.

You might also like to include descriptions of gestures, if needed.