- Take time and create trust first for the person to feel comfortable with you.
- Speak clearly and use short sentences and easy words.
- Repeat or rephrase what you have said
- Do not use a childish voice or exaggerate
- Have a quiet and calm place for talking
- Take your time and don’t hurry
- Use gestures and facial expressions. For example, look sad when you are talking about being unhappy.
- Check with the person if they understand what you are saying.
- Repeat information regularly
How to refer to someone with an intellectual impairment
AVOID USING THE FOLLOWING TERMS:
- Retarded/ retard
- Brain damaged
- Dumb
- Slow
- Special ed
INSTEAD USE:
- Intellectual impairment
- Person with intellectual impairment