Elements and Performance Criteria
- Elements define the essential outcomes
- Identify the current communication capacity and needs of the person
- Work in collaboration with the person, family and/or carer and/or relevant other, to identify communication needs
- Use appropriate supports to aid the person’s current communication capacity
- Document the outcomes of this process in line with organisation procedures
- Consult with additional people including family and/or carers and/or relevant others as required
- Make appropriate referrals to professionals and other service providers as required in consultation with supervisor
- Develop effective AAC strategies
- Provide information to relevant professional/s about the person with disability in relation to their likes/dislikes, daily activities and current communication needs
- Develop communication strategies to meet individual needs and level of communication, considering the person’s history and preferences and in consultation with relevant senior staff/professionals
- Adjust available tools and programs to address individual needs and preferences
- Seek advice from other staff and relevant others as required and work within scope of practice
- Implement AAC strategy
- Use different strategies and devices in AAC
- Document communication support strategies in the person’s individualised plan
- Organise the environment to optimise communication opportunities
- Reinforce communication by timely and appropriate response
- Identify difficulties experienced by the person when communicating and respond to difficulties within own work role and responsibilities
- Refer difficulties outside own role and responsibilities to appropriate person
- Provide practice opportunities and information to the person to maintain consistency in their use of communication strategies and encourage contact with other users or support persons
- Monitor, report and review communication strategies
- Set up and maintain reporting and recording system to assist with monitoring and review
- Review reporting and recordings to monitor success of communication strategies and make changes as required in consultation with senior staff/professionals
- Identify barriers to the effective use of AAC strategies and devices
- Work with other relevant people to overcome the barriers
- Implement any modifications to communication strategies and devices
- Identify opportunities to increase communication vocabulary
- Maintain accurate written records according to established directions and within organisation protocols