Additional Needs

Communication Passport

Annie Kirkcaldy

 

FACCT
Various

Communication passports have become increasingly popular in schools over the past several years since their introduction by staff at Edinburgh's CALL Centre.

A communication passport is

  • An empowering document which gives practical information about the client (his or her life and personality) and about vital things which make life safe and satisfying
  • A method of sorting information and making it accessible
  • A document for promoting consistency and continuity in how different people understand and approach the child
  • Something which can help focus new staff
  • A means by which family members can give others an understanding of their child.

With whom could they be used?

  • Children and adults with complex disabilities and communication problems.

Why are they useful?

  • Often a lot is known about a person and how they communicate but this information can be inaccessible to those that need to know.

  • This knowledge may be "lost" at times of transition when it isn't written down.

When are they useful?

  • New staff/relief staff
  • Moving class
  • Moving into school
  • Leaving school
  • Respite
  • Holiday
  • Going into hospital
  • Moving out of long stay
  • Day centre

A communication passport will be useful in any situation where the client will not be known and will be meeting a lot of new people.

 

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