Member

AAC users report to us time and again that they are not listened to, and that affects how much control they feel they have, and how much real choice they have, over situations like housing, social care and health. How will they feel in a preliminary conversation? We know that this population feel misjudged because of their communication requirements and that they are often considered by others, including health professionals, as not having the ability to communicate their thoughts, feelings, needs and opinions. That has a direct impact on mental health and social isolation. For example, at Cerebral Palsy Scotland, around 15% of adults who access our services are AAC users and, of those, over 40% request mental health, well-being and psychological support.