Using sign language to overcome frustration and improve care needs

30 March 2011

image: Cara Wright signing Ahmed is 30 years old. Until recently he lived with his family. He is deaf and has learning difficulties. He uses basic sign language and other forms of communication to talk to his family but this is limited as he does not have the mental ability to make decisions and cannot care for himself.

In January Ahmed had to go into emergency respite care away from his family. After a few weeks Ahmed's social worker called POhWER and told us that Ahmed was becoming increasingly angry, his behaviour was deteriorating and his relationship with the people looking after him was breaking down.

One of our advocates, Cara, went to meet Ahmed and discovered quickly that no one in the care home was using sign language to talk to him. He was frustrated and unable to tell them about his basic needs. Cara has been learning British Sign Language and is being supported by POhWER to continue her training. She was able to communicate with Amhed. They talked about his favourite foods and television programmes and within a short time she was able to develop a rapport with Ahmed and he soon became more relaxed.

Afterwards Cara supported Ahmed at meetings with his social worker and was able to help him explain that he wanted to be somewhere where people would involve him and not ignore him.

A care home was found where all the staff sign and use other tools to work with deaf people and those with other communication difficulties. Cara supported Ahmed to have his cultural needs met too and now he goes to mosque each week, which is very important to him.

Cara was really pleased to use her BSL training in this case - she is at level 2 at the moment and is due to do level 3 training in September. This will enable her to be an interpreter in time. Cara is looking forward to using her current and growing skills to help many more POhWER clients.

Source: POhWER

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