Communication Passports

I'm often asked how we can support our tamariki with communication difficulties when moving in to a new classroom or kura with new kaiako. A communication passport is a practical tool that helps others get to know how a person communicates, what’s important to them, and how best to support them. Whether you are a parent, whānau or kaiako, learning about communication passports can make a huge difference in creating supportive environments where tamariki feel understood, can engage in learning, and connect with others.

Speech-language therapists from Talking Trouble have put together resources and templates for communication passports. I'll be sharing what they've already created and are happy to share with others.

Image credit to Talking Trouble

What's a Communication Passport for?

Whānau can use the communication passport as a way to quickly show others how your tamaiti communicates, what supports their communication and what gets in the way of communication. This is especially useful when tamariki are moving to a new classroom or kura. It will help the kaiako support your tamaiti and include them in activities and learning. A communication passport could be useful to share with your wider whānau so they know how to connect with your tamaiti. It could be shared with their health professionals, so they know how to share important information with your tamaiti.

Communication passports make it easier for everyone to build healthy relationships, communicate and respond helpfully and positively. Things can go wrong when there is stress and overwhelm or because the context or strategies being used don't work well for the tamaiti.

Communication passports are living documents. This means they must be updated regularly as your child changes and grows to show what works for them.

What's in a Communication Passport?

You get to decide what goes in the communication passport. It doesn't just have to be about communication. It could include:

• Things that make it easier for me to talk

• Things that make it harder for me to talk

• Things that annoy me

• Things that make me feel good

• Things that help me stay calm

• If I ‘lose it’, please...

You can also have communication passports for different people and places. For example, you could have one for kura, one for the Dr, and one for whānau at home.

Benefits in Everyday Life

• Builds consistency between home and kura.

• Reduces misunderstandings and frustration.

• Supports independence and advocacy for the child.

Templates and more info for a Communication Passport

Talking Trouble have created a template and resources you can use to make your own communication passport. Head to their resources page and scroll down until you find the heading "Communication Passports".

One of my Māori speech-language therapy mates, Tracy Karanui-Golf, shares a video about communication passports. She talks about how they can be mana enhancing. She also gives a demonstration of helping a young person to understand their communication so they know what to put in their communication passport.

Want more help?

I often support whānau and kaiako to create communication passports. If you'd like help with making a communication passport tailored to your tamaiti or students, I can work alongside you. I can support whānau to put one together or I can provide professional development and practical resources to help your kaiako team started. Kaiako will then have the skills to create these for other students too.

Get in touch if you'd like me to support you.