How to Help the Person with Expressive Language Impairment
Be patient and reassuring and give the person time to express themselves.
Repeat back to the person what you think they have said if you need to clarify that you have understood correctly and fully.
Ask ‘closed’ questions requiring only a yes or no response or a choice between two options e.g. ‘do you want a drink?’, ‘coffee or tea?’, thus reducing the demand and stress to get out the right words.
Encourage the person to use gestures such as pointing.
If the person is able to write encourage this; some people may find it easier to write the word.
If you can make a sensible, ‘educated’ guess at what the person is struggling to communicate do so and see if this helps.
If the person has a communication aid (e.g. electronic voice output aid, alphabet or picture board), encourage them to use it.
Enlist help from a family member or carer if present – they may have a better idea of some of the things that the person may need to communicate about.
If person still cannot communicate what they mean, reassure and try again later after a break.
Reducing noise levels and other distractions (e.g. switch off T.V.) can support the person to communicate more successfully.
Follow advice from a Speech and Language Therapist about how best to support the person to communicate effectively.