Author: Rachael Rietdijk

For a person with brain injury who talks a lot, having a conversation can be difficult. They may not give other people a chance to talk. The conversation might go off topic. They may say things that are not appropriate. Having a good conversation is a bit like paddling a canoe. You need to work… Continue Reading Transcript: Supporting a person who has difficulty with social communication

Communication is about passing a message to another person. You could think about it like passing a ball. For someone who has trouble talking, extra support is needed to make sure the message gets passed successfully. Each person will need different kinds of support, but there are three general guidelines to keep in mind –… Continue Reading Transcript: Supporting someone who has difficulty speaking or understanding

To support a person who communicates without speech, you need preparation, strategy, and patience. It’s a bit like a board game. The first step is to get set up. You need to get communication tools, or any other things you need. Make sure the person has everything they need to communicate, and that you have everything you need… Continue Reading Transcript: Supporting a person who communicates without speech

Every brain injury is different. This means every person with brain injury is an individual. You can’t see a brain injury. Some people with brain injury may look and sound like they are OK. This doesn’t mean they don’t need any help with communication. For example, they may need people to give them more time, or to have things… Continue Reading Transcript: You can’t see a brain injury

A brain injury can happen to anyone. Some brain injuries can happen when there is a problem inside the brain. This could be from a stroke, a brain tumour, or low oxygen to the brain. Some brain injuries happen when there is a hit to the head. A brain injury can happen out of nowhere while you are… Continue Reading Transcript: A brain injury can happen to anyone

As someone who supports a person with brain injury, your communication skills are important. Someone who has good communication skills can give the person with brain injury the chance to say what they think. This might look like – giving the person a choice, rather than choosing for them. Someone who has good communication skills can help… Continue Reading Transcript: How you communicate makes a difference

A brain injury changes how your brain works.  Imagine one of your friends had a brain injury. Since her brain injury, you’ve noticed that she’s been acting differently. She forgets to return your messages, she does not say as much in conversations, and she never asks you how you’re going. At first, you might think… Continue Reading Transcript: A brain injury changes how your brain works