Communication Groups

Communication Groups may use many activities to facilitate and enhance communication. The purpose of the group is to encourage people to communicate.
Many different formats/topics/ideas may be used by the support worker to facilitate conversation including:

• discussing topics of common interest and that are familiar to the participants. Topics may be identified by asking the participants (other staff, family, important others, etc.) for ideas
• bringing a number of objects to the session i.e. fruit, vegetables, articles of clothing, model farm machinery, etc. that may stimulate conversation.
• doing a particular activity and encouraging discussion about the components of the activity i.e. a cooking class where the different ingredients, the culture, the occasion associated with the food, etc. would become the basis of conversation.
• attending an event, watching a movie/television program, reading a book, etc. and then talking about what people saw, heard, and/or enjoyed.
• having someone do a demonstration on something i.e. pet grooming, and then providing the time to ask questions, try doing the task, and to talk what was demonstrated.
• having the participants brings personal items or volunteering to share their experiences and using these as the topic of conversation.
• discussing a news item, or new event in their community, home, . . .

The Communication Group should be a fun, positive and an enriching activity. Basic rules of courtesy should be established by the group such as not interrupting when someone else is speaking, being respectful of each others method of communication, listening, taking turns, valuing each others opinions, being positive, etc.
To ensure that the communication group is positive, fun and learning opportunity, the facilitator will need to:

• initially keep the sessions short and increase the time as the group's communication skills develop.
• be prepared to change subjects, formats, approaches, etc. quickly if the group becomes disinterested, bored, unresponsive, . . .
• let the participants, (and others) know what the topic will be before hand so that they have an opportunity to prepare.
• assist non-verbal or less-verbal individuals to participate through alternative forms of communication, i.e. pre-recording comments on their communication device, using pictures to assist them to convey their message, writing down what they want to say before the communication group so they can read them to the group if that is preferable. . .
• encourage each individuals contribution and participation recognizing their individuality and ability.
• possibly combine individuals of like abilities i.e. non-verbal individuals who all use sign language or similar forms of communication, individuals of the same age or who have similar interests, etc.
• be positive and responsive to each individuals efforts to communicate. Recognize their participation and accomplishments.