Communicating with people with learning disabilities

Effective communication is essential to building meaningful relationships with those around us, whether that’s with friends, family, at work or in our day to day lives. But for people who live with learning disabilities, communication can sometimes pose challenges, leading to feelings of misunderstanding and frustration.

Research has shown that difficulty communicating often means that people with learning disabilities are more likely to experience loneliness and social isolation, which can negatively impact their wellbeing. Learning how to communicate effectively therefore is not only essential for fostering mutual understanding, but also for building a sense of trust, support, respect and belonging.

While everyone faces unique challenges, we all benefit from the deeper connections that clear and compassionate communication brings. In this blog, we will explore common communication barriers for people with learning disabilities, share strategies for improving interactions, and discuss how we can create more inclusive, empathetic relationships together.

What communication challenges do people with learning disabilities experience?

Learning disabilities encompass a range of conditions that affect an individual’s ability to acquire, process, or use information. This can impact essential skills such as reading, writing, reasoning, listening, and speaking.

Gaining a better understanding of the communication challenges people with learning disabilities face in daily life can help to create a more supportive and welcoming environment.

While every individual has their own strengths and difficulties, common challenges include:

• Understanding complex language, abstract concepts, or long instructions. Multi-step directions, rapid speech, and detailed information may feel overwhelming and difficult to follow for individuals with learning disabilities. Short-term memory challenges can add to this difficulty, making it harder to retain instructions or recall past conversations, which may lead to communication that feels repetitive or disjointed.
• Expressing thoughts, feelings or needs. Some people may struggle to organise their ideas and articulate them verbally, making self-expression challenging.
• Interpreting social cues and nonverbal communication. Certain learning disabilities make it challenging to understand facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. Communication isn’t just about the words we use – and being mindful of these additional factors can make a significant difference in ensuring clear and effective interactions.

Strategies for effective communication with people with learning disabilities

There are several strategies that can help improve interactions and foster positive communication with people with learning disabilities. While different methods will work best for different individuals, the key is to always be patient, empathetic, and adaptable. Here are some practical tips for communicating effectively:

1. Be clear and concise

• Use simple and direct language, avoiding complex words, idioms, or jargon that might cause confusion. For example, say "can you put your coat on?" instead of "can you get yourself ready to head out?"
• Break down instructions into smaller, manageable steps to make them easier to follow.
• Allow extra time for processing and responding – rushing or finishing sentences for someone may cause frustration or anxiety.
• Be prepared to repeat information or clarify meaning if needed.
• Many people with learning disabilities prefer one-on-one, face-to-face conversations, so extra clarity is especially important when speaking over the phone.

2. Use more than words

• Communication isn’t just about what you say – it’s also about how you say it. Using gestures and facial expressions can help to reinforce meaning. For example, frowning when asking if someone is sad.
• Incorporate visual aids like drawings, photos, or real objects to support understanding. This could include pointing to a picture of a cup while asking, "Would you like some tea?"
• When writing, use larger text and bullet points to improve readability. Avoid excessive colors, as they can make reading harder for some.

3. Be observant and listen carefully

• Similarly to using gestures or facial expressions to give information, the same can be helpful when receiving information too. Pay close attention to someone’s body language when listening, as it may reveal more than their words.
• If you’re unsure, check for understanding by repeating what you think the person is communicating. For example, “the TV isn’t working? Is that right?”
• Keep in mind that understanding a person with learning disabilities may take extra effort on your part. You might not get it right the first time, and that’s okay – don’t hesitate to ask parents or carers for advice.

What strategies do Lifeways use to communicate with people with learning disabilities?

At Lifeways, we recognise that everyone is unique, so we take a personalised approach to communication. Our focus is on understanding the reasons behind behaviours and implementing strategies that encourage positive interactions. By emphasising an individual’s strengths and talents, we help them build confidence when communicating and enhance their overall wellbeing. Because better communication is a huge part of delivering better support.

To improve understanding and expression, we use tailored communication plans that may include tools like Makaton and Widgit.

What is Makaton?

Makaton, often referred to as "key word signing," is a language program that combines signs, symbols, and speech. The multi-modal approach gives additional context to communication and provides people with multiple ways to express themselves and understand others.

Makaton can be used to support individuals with limited or no speech, and to promote equality and inclusion.

• Signs can be especially helpful for people who can’t speak or whose speech is unclear. Makaton signs are based on British Sign Language (BSL) but follow the grammatical structure of spoken English, meaning that you sign and speak a word at the same time.
• Printed or drawn symbols provide visual support for people with limited speech or for those who prefer not to sign. These symbols are commonly used for decision-making, such as choosing between activities. ​
• Makaton signs and symbols are commonly used to translate content such as documents, leaflets, and other materials. They also empower people to exercise their rights, advocate for themselves, and access information in a clear and understandable way.

According to The Makaton Charity, more than 100,000 UK children and adults use Makaton as their primary form of communication or alongside speech. Parents, support workers, friends, professionals, and educational or service providers can all benefit from learning more about Makaton too.

Here’s our Learning and Development Manager, Jemima Garrard, with some examples and training on Makaton.

How does Lifeways use Makaton to improve communication and support?

We’ve been using and training our team members in Makaton for a number of years – aiding communication and understanding for a range of people we support. In just one example, Knowledge Kafuramika, a Support Worker at our Barber Gardens service, recounts how Makaton has made life easier for one of the people we support, 'James'.

• Improved communication and social interaction: James can now express himself more easily, such as asking for what he needs (e.g. toast) or checking his daily schedule. It has also helped James participate more in social interactions, like joining in with songs alongside team members.
• Enhanced confidence and self-esteem: We've discovered new ways to communicate during everyday activities – for example, during tooth brushing or while doing puzzles. Makaton allows us to interact more effectively, using images to identify things like whether a picture shows a boy or a girl.
• Increased inclusion and access to education: Using Makaton makes learning easier and more accessible for James. It has supported his engagement in educational activities, particularly in developing math skills.

Speaking about how Lifeways uses Makaton to improve communication and support, Jemima Garrard, our Learning and Development Manager, said;

“I’ve been a registered Makaton Tutor since 2022, and since qualifying, I’ve had the pleasure of delivering the Makaton Level 1 workshop to our teams at Lifeways.

For me, the main goal of introducing Makaton as widely as possible is to help the people we support—who may rely on alternative methods of communication—connect with a variety of different people and, most importantly, feel heard and understood.

I really enjoy delivering the workshops and love hearing the stories about how Makaton is being used across our services. It's especially rewarding to see those ‘lightbulb moments’ when a team member suddenly realises what someone we support has been signing all along.”

What is Widgit?

While Makaton uses gestures and speech alongside symbols, Widgit simply uses written symbols to support communication. The software program is another way to make it easier for individuals to express themselves and understand information.

Here’s an example:

How are we using Widgit to improve communication?

At Lifeways, one of the ways we’re using Widgit is to help make support plans clearer and easier to understand. Importantly, this enables people to actively contribute to how their support is delivered – ensuring they can provide input on what’s best for them as well as plan activities focusing on their goals.

We’re currently in the process of expanding the use of Widgit across our entire organisation. A key part of this initiative is the work led by Vanessa, who was ‘Highly Commended’ in the 2024 Stars of Social Care awards for her dedication to enhancing communication through this system.

Thanks to her leadership, our team and the people we support are undergoing training in Widgit, which has already made a significant difference in how we communicate.

Another great example of how we’re using Widgit to improve daily support is through the creation of personalised placemats for mealtimes. These placemats are designed to assist people with communication or sight difficulties, and they act as quick references for team members too.

By using these simple but effective tools, we can ensure that support is always centered around the individual’s specific needs, helping to make activities like mealtimes a more inclusive and positive experience for everyone involved.

Supporting people with learning difficulties beyond communication

Lifeways’ range of services for people with learning difficulties includes supported living, which enables them to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. Our modern, purpose-built apartments promote independence while providing tailored support to meet each person's needs.

For those who have more complex requirements, our residential care services provide a reassuring, community-focused environment with 24/7 one-to-one care. These homes allow individuals to live together while receiving dedicated support from our experienced professionals.

Many of our homes are located within vibrant local communities with excellent transport links, making it easier to stay connected with family and friends, explore new places, and engage in hobbies and interests.

Whatever the needs of someone with learning difficulties, our staff are highly trained in a range of communication methods, ensuring they feel heard and understood. Through personalised support and clear communication, we empower people to live fulfilling and independent lives.