The skill of repairing communication
In this blog, our AAC Content Developer and SLP, Eva, explores communication repair and why it’s such an important part of everyday interactions. She looks at why communication breakdowns can happen, how this may feel for people who use AAC, and how tools and strategies within Grid can support repairing communication when messages aren’t immediately understood – helping conversations stay respectful and led by the person using AAC.
Many of us communicate throughout the day, for different reasons, with different communication partners and in different settings. Ideally, the communication is successful, and we are able to clearly express our message at our own pace, and the message is fully understood and responded to.
AAC Content Developer and SLP, Eva
Sometimes, however, communication can be challenging, which might be due to difficulties with expressing or understanding a message.
This can happen for lots of different reasons:
- We might not find the right words to express our message.
- There might be noise or distractions in the environment making it hard for others to hear or understand us.
- Communication partners might misunderstand our meaning.
- We may not understand our communication partners.
- We might feel rushed or stressed about communication.
- We might get interrupted or someone may speak for us.
Experiencing these difficulties can be more common amongst people who use AAC and their communication partners. They may face additional challenges relating to issues with their AAC set up, such as issues with speed, volume, battery charge or the word/phrase not being present. Any of these challenges can leave people feeling frustrated and disappointed, and can impact someone’s desire to communicate.
That’s why the skill of repairing communication is an important strategy for AAC users and communication partners to develop.
Repairing communication can involve different things, including:
- Asking for repetition.
- Asserting independence.
- Sharing a problem.
- Asking for help.
Asking for repetition
If we don’t understand someone’s message the first time, it’s more polite to ask for repetition rather than pretending to hear and missing that opportunity for authentic connection. Asking someone to rephrase their message and explain it in a different way can also be helpful.
Asserting independence
It’s important for anyone in the conversation to be able to assert their independence; this helps build self-esteem and resilience and promotes healthy autonomy in relationships. For people using AAC this might look like reminding others to be patient and not talk over them or for them while they construct their message.
Sharing a problem
Alerting someone to a problem in communication is a great skill to have, as the communication partner may not always be aware of it. This might take the form of sharing about a problem with the device such as the battery needing charging, or maybe that the noise in the environment is too loud.
Asking for help
We may be able to resolve some communication issues by ourselves, but sometimes we benefit from asking for help. An example is asking for communication partner support with finding or adding a new word so that the choice of word is exactly what the person using AAC prefers.
Supports for repairing conversation in Grid
You’ll find built in supports for repairing conversation in Super Core, Voco Chat, Aphasia Duo and Fast Talker.
In Super Core
In Super Core, both the Child and Teen and Adult versions have a grid dedicated to relevant phrases. You can find these under Messages > Fix.
The wide range of phrases available means the AAC user can ask for more time, remind others when they are still constructing their message and ask for any words not already on there to be added to their AAC device.
In Voco Chat
Voco Chat has different grids, depending on whether you have a problem with your AAC device or if the difficulties are directly related to talking.
Something is wrong > With my device provides ways to highlight technical problems like the device being too slow or needing to be plugged in to charge.
Something is wrong > with talking, provides ways for AAC users to request alternative AAC, like a communication book or for someone to add a new word to their device. They can also remind communication partners to wait or that they are writing a message.
In Aphasia Duo
Aphasia Duo 9 includes some useful repair phrases as part of the Chatting grid, such as ‘That’s not what I meant’ and ‘Can you repeat that please.’
Aphasia Duo 16 has a specific subsection, found in Chatting > Fixing conversation. Here you will find a selection of phrases to support with communication challenges, ranging from ‘Let me speak’ to ‘I’m feeling confused.’ People with aphasia often experience word finding difficulties, where they may have some knowledge of the word they want to say, but are unable to speak it aloud. The phrase ‘I can’t think of the word’ can be helpful in these situations, and a communication partner may then be able to support with questions or strategies.
Fast Talker
Fast Talker is designed for literate AAC users, and includes some pre-saved phrases which can help when communication is difficult. These can be found in Messages > Conversation Supports and encompass ways to politely interject like ‘Sorry to interrupt’ or to clarify your intended meaning, like ‘I was only joking.’
Whichever AAC system you use, it’s helpful to have access to different ways to repair communication. This can empower individuals to feel and be more independent, confident and resilient. For AAC users who are developing their skills with AAC, it can be useful for communication partners to model or practice repairing communication, beginning to develop this skill as soon as AAC is introduced.