Developing communication resources about sleep studies for individuals with learning disabilities

With thanks to Dr Eve Hirst for her message on the importance of adapted communication for people with Down syndrome.

One potential barrier to working more effectively with the Down syndrome community is the scarce availability of tools for high quality two-way communication.

People with Down syndrome have differing degrees of learning disabilities, ranging from mild to severe, which can make it more difficult for individuals to communicate their needs, and also present challenges for practitioners who may not be fully trained in appropriate communication styles.

The DSSRN is very happy to be working with Dr Eve Hirst on developing and distributing new resources, including sign supported videos and social stories, designed to simplify complex health conditions, investigations and procedures.

We are developing an accessible resource pack to communicate the importance of sleep studies. This will consist of an easy-read written resource, Makaton symbol-supported information, and Makaton sign-supported video.

Dr Hirst is passionate about improving communication in medical contexts for people who have intellectual disabilities. She is a Makaton tutor and also a Signalong Tutor, has two siblings who have Down syndrome, and she teaches other medical professionals to use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to better support their patients.

Dr Hirst says: “We know that communication is essential to delivering good quality, safe, and dignified care to our patients. If we can adapt our communication to meet the needs of the individual in front of us, I firmly believe we can make a practical and palpable difference to the health inequalities experienced by people with a learning disability, such as those with Down syndrome.

I encourage all health professionals, if you haven’t already, to look locally to your hospital, trust, or region for training in multi-modal communication, such as Makaton. This will equip you with the expertise, such as learning to use signs, or gestures, and symbols, to communicate effectively with patients you encounter who rely on these tools to understand and be understood, and give these patients the time and the space to advocate for themselves.”

Dr Hirst was the winner of the Research, Innovation and Education Award at the Northern Care Alliance Staff Awards 2021. She designed and co-led the roll-out of an interactive Signalong training program for her colleagues in Oldham hospital’s adult and paediatric A&E departments. The Oldham project won two awards: the 'Oldham Care Organisation Award for Research, Innovation and Education', as well as the Northern Care Alliance award for the same. The project was also shortlisted for the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion awards for the 'Equality' category.

If you are a health professional wanting to learn Makaton/Signalong in your workplace, please feel free to contact Eve: eve.hirst@doctors.org.uk

You can find out more about Makaton here: www.makaton.org

Further updates to come!