Communication in Special Care

Question 1

Describe communication

Answer 1

Complex system of sending, receiving and interpreting messages through written, spoken and non-verbal methods

Question 2

Describe the importance of communication

Answer 2

• Fundamental to good clinical practice
• Allows us to be inform and be informed
• Build patient rapport
• Better patient experience

Question 3

Name 3 elements of communication

Answer 3

1. Words (verbal)
2. Tone of Voice (non-verbal)
3. Body language (non-verbal)

Question 4

Describe how communication is affected by anxiety

Answer 4

• Hearing, retaining and comprehending information difficult

- May need to meet patient away from dental environment

Question 5

Describe how communication is affected by sensory disability

Answer 5

Can affect seeing or hearing which communication relies on

Question 6

Describe 4 tips for improving communication

Answer 6

1. Speak to patient directly
2. Minimise background noise
3. Speak clearly and avoid jargon
4. Use gestures for visual feedback

Question 7

Describe how communication is affected by neurological deficits

Answer 7

• Affect communication in different ways depending on part of brain affected
• Common communication impairments are aphasia and dysarthria

Question 8

What is aphasia?

Answer 8

• Acquired communication impairment resulting from damage to portions of the brain responsible for speech
• Impairs person’s ability to process language
• Occurs suddenly often as result of stroke or head injury

Question 9

What are 4 modalities of language which aphasia can affect?

Answer 9

1. Speaking
2. Understanding
3. Reading
4. Writing

Question 10

Describe 4 types of aphasia

Answer 10

Global - Most severe little speech and cannot read or write
Broca’s - Damage to frontal lobes, difficulty communicating thought, words and ideas
Wernicke’s - Damage to temporal lobe causing individuals to speak in long sentences with no meaning
Anomic - Can understand well but persistent inability to supply words

Question 11

What is dysarthria?

Answer 11

Collective name for group of speech disorders resulting from neurogenic disturbances in muscular control

Question 12

Name 4 conditions which may result in dysarthria

Answer 12

1. Cerebral palsy
2. Stroke
3. Multiple Sclerosis
4. Parkinson’s

Question 13

Describe 4 tips for a listener when dealing with a patient with neurological defects affecting speech

Answer 13

1. Do one thing at a time
2. Watch person as they talk
3. Give person time to reply
4. Ask questions if do not understand

Question 14

Describe 4 alternative forms of communication for a person who struggles from speech issues

Answer 14

1. Notebooks and pencils
2. Email
3. Adapted computers
4. Electronic voice output devices

Question 15

Describe 3 types of autism

Answer 15

Classic Autism - Most severe
Pervasive Development Disorder - More social activity
Aspergers - Normal language and intelligence but poor social skills

Question 16

Describe the triad of impairments which define ASD

Answer 16

1. Qualitative impairment in reciprocal social interaction
2. Qualitative impairment in communication
3. Qualitative differences in imagine

Question 17

Describe the general behaviour of someone suffering from ASD

Answer 17

• Do not understand unwritten social rules
• Inability to predict behaviours of others
• Demonstrate unusual interests in systems
• Anxiety levels high

Question 18

Describe communication of a person with ASD

Answer 18

• Cognitive impairment evident in 70%
• Problems with language (literal understanding)
• May be little to no speech
• Persistent questioning
• Neologisms (make up words)