A Guide to Managing Atypical Communication in Healthcare

Riya Elizabeth George, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, PGCAP, SFHEA, is an associate professor/reader in clinical communication & diversity education at Queen Mary University, London. Riya is a creative and committed medical educationalist, academic, and health psychologist working at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, and has extensive and varied experience in leading innovations in how healthcare students and professionals can be taught diversity to ensure they deliver high quality care to a range of patients and understand how their own perspectives may influence the care they provide. Michelle O’Reilly, BSc (Hons), MSc, MA, PhD, PGCAPHE, SFHEA, is an associate professor of communication in mental health at the University of Leicester, Leicester. She is a research consultant and quality improvement advisor for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. Michelle is also a chartered health psychologist with an interest in child and adolescent mental health research.

Introduction Part I: Theoretical And Social Debates In The Field Of Atypical Communication 1. Considering The Spectrum Of Typical To Atypical Communication: Deficit Or Difference? 2. The Social And Cultural Context Of Meaningful Conversations 3. Finding Meaning Through Storytelling In Healthcare 4. Technology And Atypical Communication: A Healthcare Context Part II: Practical Guidance For Working With Children And Families 5. Children And Young People With Atypical Communication In Healthcare 6. Communicating With Children And Young People With Speech, Language, And Communication Needs 7. Conversing With Families Of Atypical Communicators 8. Communicating With People With Tracheostomies And Head And Neck Cancers Part III: Atypical Communication In Progressive Neurological Disorders 9. Atypical Communication In Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, And Motor Neuron Disease 10. Dementia And Conversation Patterns Helpful To Practitioners Part 4. Practical Guidance On Specific Conditions Resulting In Atypical Communication 11. Supporting Meaningful Conversations In Stroke-Induced Aphasia 12. Communication And People With Learning Disabilities 13. Communication With Autistic Adults 14. Improving Engagement With People Who Stammer 15. Communication, Hearing Loss, and Deafness 16. Conclusion And Reflections 17. Tribute to Professor Jame Law, OBE