ことばを超えたコミュニケーション

Abstract

When we try to communicate with people who has mental disorders such as dementia, schizophrenia, and so on, often the language does not work as a means of communicating, because of the disease condition. The purpose of this study is to examine the process and condition that the language begin to work as a means of communication, and to show the techniques of using non-verbal media in communicating with people who lost their language as a message sign. In occupational therapy, we mainly use the following non-verbal media: (1) paralanguage (nonverbal factor in talking), (2) body language (expression on action and behavior), and (3) objects (one's possession, works and tools). Our techniques of using these media follow. 1. Observing how to react on stimuli 2. Using the common point of five senses and experiences 3. Catching one's nonverbal expressions 4. Using one's basic data experienced and kept by the five senses in one's life 5. Accepting own feelings and adjusting attitude 6. Giving language as if objects 7. Communicating through treating objects