Since September 2015, I have been working on the Storysharing For All project, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. http://www.phf.org.uk/
For the first year of this project, we are being hosted by Three Ways School in Bath. http://www.threeways.co.uk/
We are working with secondary age pupils with learning disabilities, supporting the sharing of personal stories.
It’s the pupils who make it worthwhile
So as I sit down to reflect and write this blog, I am thinking what is it that makes this project interesting and worthwhile? Well, it’s a real gem having the opportunity to work alongside dedicated teaching staff (more chocolate biscuits promised at next team training session…) And, I am fortunate to work in a supportive team delivering the Storysharing approach to communication…. But, it is the young people who really make this project, which seems obvious, doesn’t it, because that’s what this work is all about, making a difference to their lives?
Our society and mainstream education places great value upon the spoken and, therefore, the written word and it is tempting to think that communication is only about words. In fact, in face to face communication, body language accounts for 50% upwards of the message conveyed. (see research done in the ‘70s by Albert Mehrabian.) http://www.kaaj.com/psych/smorder.html
Going beyond the spoken word
Communication at Three Ways school goes far beyond the spoken word: it may encompass hand signs, objects that have symbolic meaning, the position of the body, gesture, sounds. In Storysharing, we are looking for ways in which pupils with compromised communication can have the opportunities and means to tell others about the personal and meaningful events that occur in our lives. This is something that we take for granted if we don’t find speaking and communicating a difficulty.
And, often, we do not place value upon the non-verbal aspects of communication little realising how important they are. For many of the pupils with learning and multiple disabilities, spoken language may be limited or not available as a form of communication.
There is more to speaking and listening than speaking and listening!
This is where skills in using non-verbal expressions on behalf of the communicator (or “speaker”) and skills in understanding and interpreting the message on behalf of the receiver (or “listener”) become most important. Communication is a 2-way street and we, the non-disabled partners need to become better listeners and observers. Because, all of the pupils I have met do communicate considerably even if they have no spoken words.
Here is a little about 2 of the students I have met. ‘A’ uses his hands and eye gaze to show whether or not he is enjoying something and to respond to objects, smells or sounds that are presented to him. By “listening” to his cues and responses, there are opportunities for turn taking. ‘S’ uses gesture, clowning and sounds to bring her stories alive. In Storysharing, we are focusing on her skills in remembering events and repeating actions and sounds. Not only is this rewarding for ‘S’, it is engaging for the audience. Slow down and hear more Sharing our personal stories is the glue that connects us together and we, the non-disabled adults, do this daily, with friends, family and colleagues. But, for the pupils we are working with, not only may they lack the communication skills and methods, they may also lack the opportunities, time and support. By slowing down and taking the time to learn to understand the sounds someone is using, their facial expression, hand gestures, physical contact and whole body movements, we can achieve the aim of making the sharing of personal stories available to all. With less emphasis on the spoken word, there is levelling of the communication ground between all communicators: using non-verbal communication at the individual’s level allows inclusivity and meaningful exchange.
Storysharing is brought to you by Openstorytellers. Openstorytellers is a charity that works to enrich and empower the lives of people who are marginalised because of learning and communication difficulties. If you would like to contribute to their valuable work (including Storysharing) please donate today.
Storysharing for All 