One Skill Videos 1.3

The Skill Video App offers a practical resource aimed at supporting friends and family in improving their interactions with individuals experiencing speech and language difficulties. These challenges are common following strokes, brain injuries, dementia, aphasia, and other medical conditions.

Each video, lasting less than three minutes, provides concise tips designed to foster more effective and supportive communication.

Key benefits include highlighting specific issues that can hinder understanding and offering strategies to overcome these barriers.

The collection comprises nine videos, each addressing a distinct communication challenge:

• Use simple sentences: Complex sentences with multiple ideas can be confusing. Using clear, straightforward sentences can facilitate better comprehension.
• Give time to respond: Individuals with communication difficulties often require additional time to process information and formulate responses.
• Reduce background noise: Background noise can go unnoticed by many but may significantly impede understanding for some individuals.
• Ask one question at a time: Phrasing multiple questions simultaneously can create confusion; focusing on single questions improves clarity.
• Offer written choices: When spoken options are overwhelming, providing written alternatives can assist decision-making.
• Don’t pretend you understand: It is preferable to acknowledge misunderstanding rather than pretending comprehension, which can lead to frustration.
• Write down keywords: Noting key words during conversations can support understanding and recall.
• Don’t patronise: Ensuring respectful communication helps maintain dignity and support positive interactions.
• Ask what helps: Recognizing that different strategies work for different individuals emphasizes the importance of personalized approaches by asking what assists each person best.