Multi-sensory impaired children in hospital - Sense

Getting startedTake your time –touch is very importantEncourage your staff to look at thecommunication passport and findout how to say “hello”Children sometimes eye-pointif they can’t use their hands...feet can be handy as well!Lots of children are accustomed toa “sleepover” in short breaks, holidaysor school. A sticker countdown systemcan help the child to understand thelength of time they will be in hospitalDepending on the child’s visioneverything may need to becloser, and use a tactile meansof communicating, likehand-under-hand signingIf you regularly wear abracelet or watch – offerthe child the shape totouch – this can help thechild to recognise you asa regular visitorFamilies are theexperts on their child!They can help in lotsof ways but theyaren’t nurses ormedically qualifiedthough and can’t dowhat you do!As you approach the childalways let her know bytouching the bed as you getcloser so she can anticipateyour arrival. Use your owntouch gently until you canjudge the situationMake sure the child’sparents/carers have abreak while the child issleeping or playingUse the pictures inthe child’scommunicationpassport to let thechild make choices– like choosing lunchor a drinkSense staff work with familiesof deafblind/MSI children of allages and have a wide range ofprofessional backgrounds. Theycan give your team some ‘popupsupport’ beside the bed or inthe play area to help you betterunderstand the child that iscurrently in your care. You can alsocommission training for your teamto help them better understanddeafblindness and MSI.1617