Communication Passports are a form of low-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). A Communication Passport is a highly personalised book which provides useful information about the owner. It is easy to read, positive, and reflects the age and personality of the owner.
What are Communication Passports used for?
Communications passports:
- Provide useful and practical information about the owner to family, friends, carers, professionals and other people they might meet or spend time with
- Increase the knowledge about the owner for staff, carers, friends,family and even strangers!
- Reflect the individual owner’s personality
- Present information in a positive way
- Ensure a consistent approach to the owner by everyone
- Ensure that all new people they meet are quickly aware of needs, wants and interests
- To support the service user though changes and transitions by aiding continuity and consistency of treatment
Main Features
- Passports are visually attractive and readable
- Highly personalised and written in the first person, i.e. “I like…” rather than “he/she likes…”
- Simple, clear and easily understood language
- Information presented in manageable pieces
- Easily updated and added to
- Photographs and/or symbols are used where appropriate
- Durable: will withstand lots of uses
Contents
Contents are very individual. No two passports will be the same because no two people are the same
- Basic personal information: name, address, phone number, Key Worker, medication
- Other information:
- Things I am good at
- Things I like/do not like
- How I indicate yes/no
- My communication system
- How I show my feelings
- My daily routine
Who should compile the Communication Passport?
No one person should be responsible for producing the Passports. It should be a document produced by the owner and all people involved, such as family, carers and professionals. They should work as a team through consultation, co-operation and collaboration. In practical terms it may be more realistic to identify one person as a facilitator and co-ordinator.
As lifestyles and people change, Communication Passports need to be updated and again it is not one person’s responsibility. If anyone feels any information needs to be added or changed he or she should say so.
Who should have copies?
The Passport belongs to the owner. Whenever possible, the owner should decide who gets a copy and who can borrow one to read and return. In cases where an owner is not able to make this decision, key people should decide on their behalf.
Further information
You can find more information in creating communication passports here.
Our therapists can help you to create and implement a Communication Passport; Get in touch for more information.
