First Responder Education: How to Work with People with Communication Disorders
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Date
2019-04
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University. Office of Outreach and Engagement
Abstract
It is very likely that first responders will encounter individuals with communication disorders. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the rate of nonfatal violent crime against persons with disabilities was 1.5 times higher than the rate for persons without disabilities. Even if these individuals have communication strategies in place, in an emergency situation, often the person in crisis will not be able to convey so. It's vital for emergency responders to be ready with strategies to help these individuals communicate and engage with them so the person can be actively involved in the medical treatment he or she receives. Our project includes hosting an in-person training for local first responders to educate them about different communication disorders and how these disorders can create a barrier to effective service delivery if not identified. We will also provide communication strategies for working with individuals with different types of communication disorders.
Description
The Speech-language Pathology Graduate Organization (SLP-GO) is committed to advocating for individuals with communication disorders and educating the community about ways to support them. Communication disorders affect individuals with: intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities (e.g., autism spectrum disorder), language impairments following medical compromises (e.g., acquiring aphasia after a stroke), and cognitive impairments (e.g., dementia). One of our current advocacy goals is to provide education for first responders about interacting and working with people with communication disorders. Our project includes hosting an in-person training for local first responders to educate them about different communication disorders and how these disorders can create a barrier to effective service delivery if not identified. It would also provide communication strategies for working with individuals with different types of communication disorders so effective service can be accomplished. The training material would be created and presented by Speech and Hearing Science faculty and SLP-GO graduate students, based on cited best practices for first responders working with people with communication disorders. Currently, the Ohio Disability and Health Program offers a one-hour online training for Ohio first responders about working with people with disabilities. SLP-GO's goal is to expand the topic to include information with our speech and language expertise. In addition to expanding the breadth of the training, we hope to expand the depth of learning as providing a longer, in-person training enables attends to more actively engage with the material. This is important, as it is very likely that first responders will encounter individuals with communication disorders. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the rate of nonfatal violent crime against persons with disabilities was 1.5 times higher than the rate for persons without disabilities. The Autism Society reports that 35 percent of individuals with autism had been the victim of a crime, and 23 percent have had interactions with first responders due to wandering or eloping. Finally, research shows that law enforcement officials are have a higher chance of interacting with a person who has aphasia than people with Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy. Even if people have communication strategies in place, in an emergency situation, often the person in crisis will not be able to convey so. It's vital for emergency responders to be ready with strategies to help these individuals communicate and engage with them so the person can be actively involved in the medical treatment they receive. As students who are educated about different types of communication disorders and communication strategies, it is our responsibility to share this knowledge to promote the quality of life for individuals with communication disorders in our community.
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Jenna DeCarlo, Ohio State student, Speech and Hearing Science, decarlo.35@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Bethany Frick, Ohio State student, Speech and Hearing Science
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Jenna DeCarlo, Ohio State student, Speech and Hearing Science, decarlo.35@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Bethany Frick, Ohio State student, Speech and Hearing Science
Keywords
communication disorders, communication strategies, first responders
Citation
Engaged Scholars, v. 7 (2019).