Dementia affects brain areas responsible for language. Those with it have trouble communicating, which becomes more impaired as the condition progresses. Because dementia affects each person differently, the communication challenges one person faces will be different from another; however, most people will experience deficits, such as trouble finding the right word, repeating words or phrases, and using one word when they mean another. Some individuals will completely lose their ability to relay information verbally. These difficulties pose significant hurdles for people and those caring for them.
Thankfully, even for those who can’t talk, there are augmentative and alternative (AAC) communication systems to help those experiencing deficits better communicate. When choosing the appropriate AAC system, care providers must ensure that it is one that people can be successful with, as further difficulties can confuse and agitate and make the individual unwilling to utilize other AAC interventions that may be helpful.
The Multiple Intelligence Survey for Persons with Dementia© (MISPWD) ensures that the appropriate system(s) are chosen by determining people’s abilities relating to their intelligences. For instance, if a person possesses a high aptitude for visual-spatial intelligence, they will most likely respond well to systems such as a picture exchange or a storyboard. Those who do not possess aptness for this intelligence will have a more challenging time succeeding with it. Aside from visual-spatial, there are seven other intelligence types that the MISPWD identifies, each relating to its own AAC methods.
-Matt Call
