LISTEN TO WHAT IS NOT BEING SAID

Too often, people with a learning difficulty or those who are non-verbal, are ignored, punished, misunderstood, accused, not taken seriously, undervalued, and assumed to be far less intelligent.

 

So, what needs to be done about it?

 

There needs to be CHANGE. People need to listen with more than their ears to understand an individual’s wants and needs. If we pay more attention to individuals non-verbal cues we can support them in a more meaningful way. Differences need to be celebrated and integrated into society without judgement, to advocate for inclusivity. Person centred practices really need to mean just that, especially in healthcare settings. There needs to be more curiosity, more empathy, and more attention to what is being said without words.

 

There needs to be ACTION, not just policies.