People with Cognitive Disabilities

Say:

• My name is? I'm here to help you, not hurt you.
• I am a ? (name your job).
• I am here because ? (explain the situation).
• I look different than my picture on my badge because ? (for example, if you are wearing protective equipment).

Show:

• Your picture identification badge (as you say the above).
• That you are calm and competent.

Give:

• Extra time for the person to process what you are saying and to respond.
• Respect for the dignity of the person as an equal and as an adult (example: speak directly to the person).
• An arm to the person to hold as they walk. If needed, offer your elbow for balance.
• If possible, quiet time to rest (as possible, to lower stress/fatigue).

Use:

• Short sentences.
• Simple, concrete words.
• Accurate, honest information.
• Pictures and objects to illustrate your words. Point to your ID picture as you say who you are, point to any protective equipment as you speak about it.

Predict:

• What will happen (simply and concretely)
• When events will happen (tie to common events in addition to numbers and time, for example, "By lunch time" "By the time the sun goes down").
• How long this will last? when things will return to normal (if you know).
• When the person can contact/rejoin loved ones (for example: calls to family, re-uniting pets).

Ask for/Look for:

• An identification bracelet with special health information.
• Essential equipment and supplies (for example: wheelchair, walker, oxygen, batteries, communication devices [head pointers, alphabet boards, speech synthesizers, etc.]).
• Medication.
• Mobility aids (for example, assistance or service animal).
• Special health instructions (for example: allergies).
• Special communication information (for example, is the person using sign language)
• Contact information.
• Signs of stress and/or confusion (for example, the person might say [s] he is stressed, look confused, withdraw, start rubbing their hands together)..
• Conditions that people might misinterpret (for example, someone might mistake Cerebral Palsy for drunkenness).

Repeat:

• Reassurances (for example, You may feel afraid. That's ok. We're safe now.)
• Encouragement (for example, "Thanks for moving fast. You are doing great.. Other people can look at you and know what to do").
• Frequent updates on what's happening and what will happen next. Refer to what you predicted will happen, for example: "Just like I said before, we're getting into my car now. We'll go to now."

Reduce:

• Distractions. For example: lower volume of radio, use flashing lights on vehicle only when necessary.

Explain:

• Any written material (including signs) in everyday words.
• Public address system announcements in simple words.

Share:

• The information you've learned about the person with other workers who'll be assisting the person.