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The Learning Disabilities Elf

Communication with people with learning disabilities and with autism and the importance of non verbal communication

John Northfield

As you know, at Elf Towers, we strive to identify the evidence you need to help inform the way people with learning disabilities are supported.

We have taken the unusual step today of pointing to a radio programme, from BBC Radio 4’s Word of Mouth series. The programme was broadcast this week and features the author Michael Rosen exploring the theme of communication.

You can hear a discussion with researchers with learning disabilities from the Norah Fry Centre at the University of Bristol  who describe work they have done on producing a DVD about adult communication, as well as an interview with Phoebe Caldwell, who talks about her work on “intensive interaction”, in particular the need to listen and ‘tune in’ to non verbal communication.

The programme should be available to listen for up to a year. It would be good to hear your comments.

Word of Mouth  Autism and Learning Difficulties, Rosen M, BBC Radio 4

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Written by

After qualifying as a social worker, John worked in community learning disability teams before getting involved in a number of long-stay hospital closure programmes, working to develop individual plans for people moving into their own homes. He worked for BILD, helping to develop the Quality Network and was editorial lead for the NHS electronic library learning disabilities specialist collection. This led him to found the Learning Disabilities Elf site with Andre Tomlin as a way of making the evidence accessible to practitioners in health and social care. Most recently he has worked as part of Mencap's national quality team and also been involved in a number of national website developments, including the General Medical Council's learning disabilities site.

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  • Pauline Thomas

    Pauline Thomas

    13 years ago
    I actually heard that broadcast myself yesterday and tuned again today to clarify the things that I thought was most relevant to my son. I think that respect is vital, especially mutual respect between carer and cared for. Most human beings when they are treated with kindness and equality will react themselves with kindness to the other person. The programme was brilliant and should be mandatory for all PA'.s and caring assistants before they begin to work with vulnerable people. It should also be mandatory listening for managers and commissioners too. The courage and ability to speak for oneself is the one of biggest problems for people with learning disabilities (my own son finds this almost impossible) and when their frustration boils over, they are called 'challenging'. This programme from the Nora Fry Centre demonstrates how to avoid this and I think the people who took part in this programme should be applauded. Let us hope the people with all the power take note and LISTEN.
    • 1 reply
    • Susan Kellett
      Susan Kellett 13 years ago
      Hello Pauline Thomas, please may I use your reply to this article on my facebook page ? It is a support page for all people who care for someone with a learning disability. Thanks
      • Pauline Thomas
        Pauline Thomas 13 years ago
        Susan Kellett you are very welcome to use my reply. Good luck with your support page. Kind regards Pauline