What are my Choices?​

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What is communication? 

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Very basically it is a signal from one person to another which may indicate a thought or a feeling.  This can be done in several ways 

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Non Verbal communication 

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Touch, eye gaze, facial expression, scent, body language and position, gesture, signs.  These are non-verbal forms of communication.  But language is the skill which sets us apart from any other earthly living being.   

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Verbal communication 

Language can be shared through spoken language, or written language. 

• English Language (or any language) is the language of sound which can be spoken cued.  We ‘acquire’ language as babies, that means it ‘soaks in.’ 

• Written English has 26 letters to convey the sounds in each word.  The letters are a translation of sound.  Humans have to ‘learn’ to read. 

• Learning to Lip Read  using cued speech.  This uses visual ‘cues’ to help the receiver to recognise the lip patterns accurately.  Without cues (or clues) a person can only accurately lip-read 30% of what they see.   

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Visual or manual language (using hands) such as - 

• Cued Speech   

• British Sign Language 

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Invented signing systems such as - 

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• Sign supported language, Makaton, baby sign 

• Supporting and assisting deaf communication. 

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Using technology:

• Hearing Aids and Hearing Technology 

• Cochlear Implants 

• Advanced technology

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