Non-verbal communication

Many congenitally deafblind and multi-sensory-impaired people with no formal verbal communication methods will use non-verbal improvised forms instead:

  • A young person signing at a centreBody movement - includes a range of meaningful gestures such as pointing, but can also include what could be interpreted as challenging behaviour.
  • Changes in breathing pattern
  • Eye pointing
  • Vocalising
  • Leading others to wanted objects or activities

Be alert to meaning in the unique ways that some deafblind people express themselves.

Through observation it is often possible to understand the meaning of these unique methods of communication and to learn how to react to and interact with the deafblind person.

 

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First published: Monday 21 May 2012
Updated: Wednesday 22 May 2013