The range of communication support needs

Every individual is different. 

Some people will experience multiple disabilities. 

We have highlighted below some of the reasons why people need you to think about how to make it easier to get messages in and out. 

The aim is to increase understanding of the diversity of communication support needs and to help you answer the question "What can I do to help remove barriers people may be facing?" 

  for detailed advice go to Communication Support Principles section

Remember that an individual's communication may differ significantly at different times of the day or depending upon how they are feeling.

Diversity of communication support needs

The information is drawn from organisations' literature and talking with people with communication support needs. 

This is not an exhaustive list.  The main emphasis is on communication support needs which are less understood. 

• Autism
• Brain injury
• Cancers affecting organs for speech
• Cancers affecting the brain
• Cerebral palsy
• Deafness
• Dementia
• Disordered language development
• Dyslexia
• Epilepsy
• Learning disability
• Mental health
• Progressive neurological conditions
• Stammering
• Stroke
• Visual impairment