How to be a Better Communication Partner

Part of the role of a Speech and Language Pathologist is to provide communication strategies to the client and those who will be interacting with the client, including family member, caregivers and friends.

We have developed a series of strategies and tips for communication partners to help them communicate with individuals who have a speech or language disorder. Our team of certified professionals use evidence-based research to develop customized strategies for each client. However, there are some general strategies that can be adopted for all clients and their communication partners. These include:

As the Listener

  • Be patient and attentive.
  • Avoid interrupting (give the person at least 30 seconds to process speech before guessing what they are trying to say).
  • Provide the person with the initial sound or syllable to help them find the word they are “stuck” on.
  • If the person is having difficulty finding a word, ask them to describe it to you or if they can use another word with the same meaning.
  • Paraphrase often to ensure you and the person are on the same page.

As the Speaker

  • Establish the topic of conversation.
  • Speak in short and simple sentences.
  • Use yes/no questions rather than open-ended questions, as they are easier to respond to.
  • Place emphasis on important/keywords to make them stand out.
  • Speak slowly and pause often to allow the person the extra time they may need to process speech.
  • Provide the person with choices.
  • Provide the person with different modalities to get your message across (e.g., writing down information, gesturing, or using visuals).
  • Do not talk too loudly to the person, as their hearing may not unaffected.
  • Try not talk down to the person.

This information is backed up by research from Allina Health, The American Heart Association, The Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

Learn More About Our Speech and Language Services

Are you interested in learning more about how to use effective communication strategies or have any concerns regarding you or your family member’s speech and language development? Our team of Speech-Language Pathologists and Communicative Disorders Assistants at Anderson Speech Consultants would be happy to set up a consultation with you or your loved one today!