ABSTRACT
The focus needs to be on the functional impact of a communication problem rather than the diagnostic label, just as the Mental Capacity Act emphasises the need for a functional test of capacity and prohibits assumptions about capacity based on diagnosis. People with communication impairments are described as people with speech, language or communication needs (SLCN). Alternative or Augmentative Communication is anything that replaces or supports spoken and written communication and can be divided into “high-tech” and “low-tech” aids. Abbreviations are part of everyday communication; however, different abbreviations may mean different things to people depending on their background. The communication should be face-to-face with ideally only two people having the discussion so people can use their one-to-one skills without needing group communication skills. People with SLCN will have difficulty understanding some grammatical structures. An assessor should have an awareness of the structures most often misunderstood.
